Work is underway on assembling the new ADA-accessible bleachers and press box on the east side of the football field and track at H.A. Lynn Stadium in Newton. The new bleachers, which are on the visitor’s side, will have handrails and wider aisles. Newton Superintendent Tom Messenger says the new press box is only a part of this project, because of a favorable bid.
“That’s what allowed the school board to move forward with the press box on that side as well. The bids came in at lower numbers than what was budgeted for to start with. It’s being paid for out of the SAVE fund. There’s no additional tax burden on property taxes.”
SAVE stands for Secure an Advanced Vision for Education. SAVE funds come from the one-cent local option sales tax that’s collected for school infrastructure, technology, and local property tax relief. The total cost of the bleacher and press box improvements is $751,550. Messenger says the installation will be completed in about a week, weather permitting. The old bleachers that were removed are now set up at the Jasper County Fairgrounds in Colfax.
