Athletic improvements come at no cost

October 2, 2014

By J.T. Whitehouse   , The Town Crier

           

While coaches often use the words ''building year'' when referring to their teams, this school year it could be applied to the athletics department.

Three major projects are underway, and not a penny of the district's budget is being used.

The projects include the new scoreboard on the football field, new dugouts on the baseball field and a refinished gym floor for the basketball program.

Paolo Rocottilli from Ricottilli Builders and Bill Duritza from T.C. Ready Mix complete the foundation work on Poland Seminary High School's new baseball dugouts last week. The new dugouts are one of three big changes to Poland sports that are costing the school district nothing.

The gym floor, according to athletic director Brian Banfield, has been completed at a cost of $19,000. He said the funds came from an athletic fund that was generated through gate receipts.

''The people who originally installed the floor said it should have been done three years ago,'' Banfield said.

It had to be stripped down to bare wood, refinished and sealed.

While the gym floor is completed, the next big project is the scoreboard. It is up and running and being tweaked. The new $115,000-unit includes advertising space that helps cover the initial cost and will become a new source of revenue once it is paid for.

''It will be paid for over the next five years,'' said Poland School Superintendent David Janofa. ''After it is paid off, all future funds will come back to the school district.''

He said right now, the four main advertising spaces have been sold. Sweeney Chevrolet, Windsor House, Southwoods and Poland Medical Center appear when it is lit up and functioning.

''We have a piece of equipment that cost us nothing and will someday generate revenue,'' Janofa said. ''It is also the engagement of these businesses that helps show support for the schools.''

The final big project started last month. It involves the construction of two new dugouts on the high school baseball field. The project is estimated to cost $20,000 and will be fully funded by the Poland All-Sports Boosters.

''Our old dugouts were literally falling apart,'' Banfield said. ''We would have had to do something to them, anyway.''

He said the new dugouts will be completed next spring in time for baseball season.

Handling the construction for the new dugouts are two Poland alumni. Paolo and Lee Rocittilli from Ricottilli Builders are handling the work. For Paolo, the work is something he is proud to be part of.

''We grew up in Poland,'' he said. ''I remember when the present baseball field was all corn fields.''

The three projects total over $154,000 in improvements. Janofa said it is all about the community coming together to make Poland the great school district it is.