Community Corner

Barlow Stadium Field Project Wins Approval

A $3.27 million funding request for a new stadium field at Joel Barlow High School passed by a vote of 492-296 in Easton on Tuesday night. Then a group of supporters gathered in the Samuel Staples Elementary School gym heard the news that it passed by hundreds of votes in Redding.

"I've always said that it's important to ask the voters their opinion on the project, now we will move quickly," said Cathy Gombos, the Region 9 Board of Education Chairwoman.

The school board will appoint a building committee to oversee the project, which Gombos said went out to bid prior to the stadium vote.

"We asked the voters for the money we knew it would cost, not estimates," Gombos said, adding the board learned from the building project years ago, when the cost estimate voted on was lower than the actual bids.

To that end, Gombos said voters will be asked to approve funds for roof work at Barlow in the Spring when firm bid numbers are in. 

The $3.27 million includes a 10% project contingency and around $200,000 for necessary road repairs.

Gombos said the project timeline will have the least impact on school sports.

"I think Barlow's athletes will definitely benefit from this new facility," she said. "I'm happy with the vote."


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