by Dennis Dalman – news@thenewsleaders.com
The new-and-improved football field at Sartell Middle School will soon have a new-and-improved, state-of-the-art scoreboard.
The “Sartell Sabres” board, which will be 35-feet high (including its 10-foot pole), will display digital images and will broadcast sound. It will display live video of the ongoing games; scores, of course; student and program highlights; upcoming events; and some advertisements.
At its March 11 meeting, the Sartell City Council approved a sign-variance request for construction of the scoreboard. Council member David Peterson voiced concerns about the board showing signs and sounds during times when there is no activity on the field, possible disruptions for neighbors in that area. The council agreed to approve the scoreboard placement on the condition the board be turned off when games are not being played.
The surface area of the digital scoreboard will be 371-square feet. It will be placed in the same position as the old scoreboard, on the north side of the field adjacent to 7th Street N. and facing the playing field.
The Sartell city sign ordinance allows potential variances for sports signs that deviate from allowed sizes and types because such signs are needed where large numbers of people gather and the use of the sign (scoreboard) is unique to a particular activity (sports on the field).
The city’s planning commission also recommended approval of the variance request.
