When Durango School District 9-R trustees had to pull back from supporting an up to $1.8 million investment in renovating athletic facilities at Durango High School because of budget constraints, eyes turned toward the private sector for help.
Now, former district athletic director Sheldon Keresey is heading a campaign to pay for earth-moving work, a new track, a synthetic surface on the football field, classrooms and training space and bleachers.
The stadium and track are probably the first priority, he said. The committee must have money at least pledged to start work, he said Thursday.
“The earliest we could start is probably May 2015,” Keresey said. “This May would be great, but it’s probably a little ambitious since construction would mostly be done June through August.”
Old-timers may recall past athletic-oriented campaigns. Durango High School was built in 1976 but didn’t have a stadium and track until 20 years later. Then came a five-year campaign for stadium lights in order to play football on Friday nights, which occurred for the first time in October 2001.
But since then, Keresey said Thursday, years of overuse has led to hardened, uneven turf and a deteriorated track. Lacking also is adequate seating for athletic events, graduation ceremonies and community events.
The condition of the stadium has forced the district to limit use of athletic facilities to school activities. Community use of the stadium puts excessive pressure on resources.
Renovation of the stadium field and track – really a single project – will be accomplished over time, said Keresey, who was athletic director from 2006 to ’13.
“We have to do some earth-moving first,” Keresey said. “Everything has to be shifted to bring the track up to competition standards. The inside lane is narrower than regulation, so we have to widen it and accommodate the apron.
“The field has to be redone because soccer, which needs a wider field, and lacrosse can’t use a crowned grass field,” Keresey said. “The jump pits also have to be moved to allow for the soccer field.”
Keresey said his campaign is just underway. He’ll appreciate any and all volunteer help and would like to talk to people who can contribute cash or in-kind services such as grading and dirt hauling or who want to join the steering committee.
“We have to ensure that this facility is sustainable for the future and that it becomes a hub for our community partners,” district Superintendent Dan Snowberger said in a statement. “By working with the community to rebuild the stadium to fit a dynamic variety of needs, we can make repairs and upgrades but without impacting funds for instruction and student academic services.”
Declining state funding in recent years has forced 9-R to dip into reserves to the tune of $1.6 million. Thus, except for limited financial support, the district doesn’t have money to see through the proposed renovation of athletic facilities.
Keresey’s fresh campaign for public funding won’t compete with another upcoming campaign by the Durango Education Fund to cut into the $1.6 million deficit, district spokeswoman Julie Popp said. The campaigns will appeal to different audiences, although there could be some overlap, Popp said.
Durango Education Foundation, established in 1984 and governed by a 13-member board, has an unidentified benefactor who is going to match the first $50,000 the foundation raises, Popp said.
The campaign to pay for renovation of the athletic facilities will look to other sources, Popp said. Keresey’s group is working with facility users, among them the Durango Youth Soccer Association, the Southwest Colorado Youth Football Association, Durango Youth Lacrosse, Fort Lewis College and the city of Durango community recreation leaders.
Corporate support is another funding possibility, Popp said.
A statement from 9-R said synthetic turf would reduce wear and tear and maintenance and irrigation costs compared with sod. Natural grass can require up to 70,000 gallons of water a week in the summer, the statement said.
It also said the track would be rebuilt to regulation standards. Among other improvements would be additional bleachers, expanded strength and conditioning rooms and new gym floors.
daler@durangoherald.com
