by Mike Knaak
A plan for two multi-purpose athletic fields at Sartell High School was presented to the school board at its Feb. 28 meeting.
The two fields would be upgrades to fields south of the high school.
A track would be built around a grass soccer field and lights added. Just to the west, a turf field for football, soccer and lacrosse would be built along with seating and lights. The football field main stands would seat 2,600 on the home side. Between the two fields, more seating would accommodate 1,000 people on the visitors side and 1,000 seats facing the soccer field.
The fields would be used for sports as well as physical education. A turf field could be used earlier in the spring and later in the fall than a grass field. A turf field is a requirement for hosting postseason soccer and football competition. The community could use both fields. Students would be able to play games on the high school campus instead of traveling to Riverview Intermediate School.
The plan costs $4.5 million and would include bleachers, track, turf field and scoreboard. The district has $1.4 million remaining from the bonds sold to build the high school and remodel other buildings. That construction came in under budget and the district earned more interest than expected from the time the bonds were sold until the money was spent. Another $2 million would come from a funding tool called lease levy, which would involve a slight levy increase. For example, owners of a $250,000 property would pay an additional $23 in taxes. Outside funding of $1.1 million is needed to complete the scoreboard, bleachers and press box.
Board members made no decision. If the plan is approved, the fields could be ready for use in fall 2023.
Proposed Sartell athletic fields.
