Big Foot High School, Walworth, will have a groundbreaking ceremony on its outdoor athletic complex Monday, April 1 at 9:30 a.m.
The public is welcome to attend and other expected attendees include the Big Foot athletic project leadership team, school board, coaches, youth sports leaders, area K-8 school administrators, local officials and the general contractor, Hellas.
The project is scheduled to be completed in stages throughout the summer and early fall of 2019.
The referendum was passed on Nov. 6, 2018 approving $7.8 million in bonds for construction of the complex. The site design includes a quadplex baseball/softball facility, turfed football and soccer fields, 8-lane track, shot-put-discus-long jump-high jump, two lighted tennis courts, home bleachers, auxiliary parking lot and a new bathroom/concession building.
The stated project goal is to address the underlying issues of existing athletic facilities at Big Foot.
“Our outdoor fields and facilities are worn out and need to get updated,” explains Tim Collins, Athletic Director. “Our fields get constant use from high school sports and our youth sports programs. There’s no life left in them.”
Big Foot Administrator, Doug Parker, agreed.
“The home bleachers were receiving compliance waivers for the last number of years, the track surface is down to bare asphalt in some places. Really, there’s deferred maintenance in virtually all areas of our outdoor facilities,” Parker said.
“We were overdue for the improvements and are happy the community voted to approve the project. The students are excited, and we hope that our residents will also be proud to have a great facility for years to come,” Parker added.
For more information and updates on the project, the school has a dedicated website with progress pictures of the athletic complex at www.bigfootrecreation.org/referendum.html.
