During Thursday evening’s meeting of the Elizabethton City School Board, the final changes to the new Citizens Bank Stadium were unanimously approved and are scheduled to be completed by Sept. 3.
The changes included doubling the anticipated height of the fence around the stadium, installing fencing around the gate, laying sod and reshaping the berm.
Financing for these additions totaling an estimated $18,437 came from within the budget, and comprise less than one percent of the total projected cost of $4,318,437. Director of Schools Corey Gardenhour believes that the total cost will be lower than the estimated contract sum.
He graciously thanked donors who have helped fund the construction of the new stadium and said they will be honored after the parade for their contributions.
Contractors are increasing the height of the fence to 96 inches because the installation of a drainage system led to the ground beside the fence being lower than anticipated. Gardenhour said they want to keep the area inside the fence clean. It will also put the top of the fence at a standard height given that it is being installed lower than planned.
In other news, as part of the Board’s ongoing community involvement efforts, EHS business teacher Amber Able outlined a proposal for a yoga class and body fitness class to be held at West Side Elementary as well as a swim club to be held at the EHS pool. Proposals were unanimously approved.
“Able has breathed new life into our community involvement program,” said Gardenhour. “We really appreciate the work you’ve done.”
He said the swim program has made a big difference to a lot of kids and that he hopes to expand in the future.
Participation costs are estimated at $8 per yoga class, $5 per body fitness class and $150 per quarter in the swim club.
Members of the board also heard a request from mother Sharon Skeans proposing that a table in the lunch room be designated peanut-butter-free so that students with severe allergies can be certain they are not inadvertently exposing themselves to the allergen.