Durango School District 9-R board members agree that the high school stadium and track should be restored to a level adequate to hold competitions.

They voiced their support Tuesday after a briefing on the dire conditions of the facilities and ways to find $1.8 million for renovations.

But in the end, they must weigh all capital expenditures, a couple of board members said.

Sheldon Keresey, former district athletic director; Durango High School Principal Leanne Garcia; current district athletic director Dave Preszler; and Jason Austin, the district’s finance director, addressed the board.

In coming months, board members will see a more detailed plan for potential financing from Superintendent Dan Snowberger.

Durango High School’s stadium and track, built in 1996, served well for a decade. But under increased use by teams, community sports groups and others, its synthetic surfaces have deteriorated to the point that they aren’t safe.

A community fundraising effort fell apart when the economy took a nose dive in 2008, and leadership changes occurred in the school district and its local-government partners.

“Fundraising was discontinued,” Keresey said. “Plans were shelved.”

The school district twice dipped into a $360,000 capital reserve to patch the track, leaving $231,000 available today.

Voluntary donations by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe to offset revenue lost to the district when the tribe annexes property now amount to $1.6 million.

The track and field can be made whole again for about $1.4 million. Improving stadium seating, installing jumping and pole-vaulting pits and lesser items push the cost to $1.8 million.

Garcia said upgrades are necessary for student safety and to attract community groups that would generate revenue by renting the fields.

Snowberger said conversations with Fort Lewis College reveal that a joint stadium wouldn’t satisfy demand. Another facility would be needed, he said.

There are various funding sources, Snowberger said. He mentioned a U.S. Department of Agriculture rural-development loan program, community fundraising and Great Outdoors Colorado.

Local in-kind services such as grading or demolition could reduce the amount of cash needed, he said. Donations in exchange for naming rights is another source, he said.

School board members now must evaluate athletic facility needs in the context of total capital expenditures.

daler@durangoherald.com