Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. is moving ahead with plans to build a $5 million outdoor soccer complex on the Columbus AirPark.
The district plans to construct two full-size competition soccer fields that would be used by Columbus North and Columbus East high schools, BCSC Superintendent Jim Roberts said.
The proposed facility, which could be completed by next August, would be located north of the city-operated three-field Richard Wigh Soccer Complex that both high school teams currently use.
Only one of the three fields that make up the Wigh complex is considered a competition field with lighting. Those fields have limitations such inadequate space for athletes to change and limited spectator seating with no handicapped accessibility, according to the school’s project outline.
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Plans for the new soccer complex project were initially proposed in January after BCSC school board members approved borrowing $13 million in bonds to be used for continuing upgrades to infrastructure at both high schools and the proposed soccer complex.
Roberts said $5 million of that amount will be dedicated for the soccer complex, including scoreboards, lighting and spectator seating. In addition, a full-sized locker room building, restrooms and a concessions building are also planned.
The district hopes to have at least one of the two competition soccer fields completed by the time school starts in August, but that depends on how quickly the contractor can complete the work, Roberts said.
BCSC school board members will be asked to seek and approve bids for the project, he said.
A lease between the school corporation and the Columbus Municipal Airport is expected to be presented for school board approval in November or December, Roberts said. The terms of the lease are still being negotiated, he said.
AirPark impacts
The Columbus AirPark is preparing to extend Poshard Drive to create room for the new soccer complex, airport director Brian Payne said. That project is expected to cost about $120,000 with construction expected to begin in the spring, he said.
Payne said school district’s soccer complex will be a benefit to Columbus AirPark since it plans to seek requests for proposals tied to two one-acre parcels of land in December. Payne said he is hopeful those parcels will be developed for retail or restaurant space.
“It will increase traffic of those two parcels, which for us is a really big deal,” Payne said of BCSC’s project.
Reaction
Columbus North athletics director Jeff Hester said he is looking forward to the new facility, saying it will benefit both high school teams.
“It’s really exciting for the soccer community at both North and East,” Hester said. “This is a big soccer town and both teams have had a lot of success.”
Hester said the Indiana High School Athletic Association has also shown interest in the project and may use the new complex for postseason tournament play.
“This will be a big benefit having a complex, especially with an artificial surface that will allow a lot of opportunities for the kids,” Hester said.
Columbus East High School athletics director Pete Huse said the biggest advantage will be for the school district to own its own fields.
In addition, the turf soccer fields will prepare athletes for tournament play for sectionals and beyond, Huse said.
He also agreed that the district should also have an opportunity to host regional, sectional or semi-state games as a result of the soccer complex being in place.
“All of those will be very beneficial,” Huse said.
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The Bartholomew Consolidated School Board will consider a lease between the school corporation and the Columbus Municipal Airport during its November or December meetings. The board will also be required to grant permission to seek bids for the soccer complex project.
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