The Jennings School District broke ground on a new $1.4 million sports complex on April 8, which will include a new track and field.
The funding comes from Proposition J, an $11.5 million bond issue that Jennings voters approved by 61 percent in April 2011. The new complex will make Jennings School District one of only a few high schools east of Interstate 270 to have a modern, outdoor sports complex, district officials said.
“This is just one more example of taking care of students and ensuring pride within our community,” said Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Anderson. “It is also an example of showing the Jennings community that we appreciate their support for voting for Proposition J and investing in our schools.”
On February 25, the Board of Education approved a contract with sports facilities contractor ATG Sports Industries. Construction is scheduled to begin after the last soccer game in May.
As part of their work, ATG Sports will install a synthetic turf sports field, an all-weather track, goal posts, high jump, pole vault, long jump and a restroom/concession building for a total amount not to exceed $1,403,595.
The track must be reworked to achieve the Missouri State High School Activities Association’s standards for grade tolerances and will have a new rubberized running surface with all the association’s standard stripping and markings. The bleachers will be moved, along with a new concession / restroom facility.
Track and field coach Darryl Williams, who has been involved with the Jennings program for 30 years, said with an 8-lane, Missouri State High School Activities Association-approved track and field facility, Jennings will soon be a sought-out destination for other programs who want to compete on a high grade surface.
Mark Harris, head coach of the Warrior football program, said his players are equally excited about the thought of playing on Friday nights in front of large crowds. Harris said he is excited about the prospect of watching his fast team compete on a quick playing surface.
“The best quote I can give you about what this means to Jennings, it’s just a wow factor,” Jennings Senior High Principal Dayle Burgdorf said. “We are so excited. The kids are going to be playing on a facility that actually mirrors their competitors’, and so it brings them up to a different playing field. We’re just extremely excited about that.”
According to the ATG Sports’ contract, the district’s minority participation goals for the project are:
• 30 percent of contracts to Minority Owned Business
• 5 percent of contracts to Woman Owned Business
• 30 percent Minority/Women Field Workforce
ATG Sports expects to exceed the district’s minority participation requirements, according to board documents. ATG Sports will be required to report monthly on manpower and amounts paid to MBE/WBE firms.
The new sports complex is just one part of the Prop J projects in the district. The Prop J funds will also go towards renovating libraries, media centers, science labs, auditoriums and cafeterias in the district’s eight buildings. To increase safety and security, the district will also upgrade cameras and locks, along with making building improvements.
Another major part of the Proposition J is the building addition on Northview Elementary, which will consist of two classrooms and a new library. The cafeteria will be expanded into the old library space. On February 25, the board voted to award the Northview contract to C. Rallo Contracting Company for $1,667,500.
C. Rallo also expects to exceed the minority participation goals, which are the same as the sports complex project.
“To me, this really justifies that we are in the beginnings of some really large things,” Dr. Anderson said. “This is the beginning of higher achievement; this is the beginning of higher performance, and just higher expectations.”
