An estimated $733,000 project to build a 937 square foot bathroom and concession stand building at the Newton School District’s new baseball field has been stopped by the school board due to its cost. Instead of approving the architect design and development plans for the building Monday night, the school board tabled that action in a 6 to 1 vote. Board member Donna Cook voted to proceed, stating that she feels the school board has made a commitment to the community to add bathrooms and a concession stand, and believes waiting to do it later will just increase the cost. Superintendent Tom Messenger and the other board members believe that money may be better spent on addressing classroom space and ADA accessibility at the high school.

“Realistically the next thing we have to look at is the high school facilities. The board is fully agreeable that the baseball facility has needs for a concession stand/restroom facility there. But just want to make sure we take a look at everything we need to do, and come up with an overall vision, timeline, and plan to address the needs we have.”

At Monday’s meeting, the Newton School Board did approve the design and development plans for putting in new ADA accessible bleachers with handrails and wider aisles on the visitors side of H.A. Lynn Stadium, north of the baseball field. The projected cost for this improvement is also $733,000. The proposed installation timeline for the new bleachers is this December through next June. Newton Superintendent Tom Messenger shares more information about these projects on today’s Let’s Talk Newton.