Chatfield School District used their new press box for the first time this year at a track meet on April 24, 2025. The new building has storage area in the bottom level and two more levels that will be used by CCTV, Chatfield coaches, timers, announcers and visiting team personnel. Each of these levels has three separate rooms.
During the track meet, this reporter asked Randy Paulson, announcer, if there is a big difference. He reported that now he can see the entire field and track with the difference in height and new location.
The press box previously used by the school was built in 1985 and had outlived its usefulness. It was built on the inside of the track as there were issues with drainage on the other side of the track. This has led to safety concerns for football players as it is very close to the sidelines. Now it has been determined that the drainage issues can be solved, and it can be built on the other side of the track. This will enhance the line of sight for both games and track meets. Storage space is very limited in the old press box building and CCTV will need room to broadcast games as their old space is no longer viable.
The facility survey results from last winter and spring did not indicate enough support for a stadium update or tennis court replacement via a facility bond approval by the voters. As a result, the Chatfield Youth Football Association (CYFA) and City of Chatfield (CCTV) offered to partner with the school district to build a new press box. The CYFA contributed $45,000 and the City (CCTV) $15,000. Without this support, a new press box would not be possible. The school district will contribute the rest of the money needed, approximately $60,000 paid from the operating capital fund which is designated by the State for facility projects and equipment. By law, operating capital money is kept separate from the general fund which funds salaries and programs. Expenditures from the operating capital fund do not take away from the general fund and thereby does not contribute to general budget shortfalls.
Along with the new press box, small sets of bleachers will be added on both sides for visiting fans and a walkway will be installed from the track gate parking lot to the area. There is still a need to resurface the track and to look at the tennis court situation. The district will look at alternate funding strategies to address these needs over the course of the next several years.
Leave a Reply