The Republic School District wants community feedback as it assesses whether to place a construction project on the April ballot. Five years after building its new high school, officials would like to add an athletic facility to the campus.
The school board is seeking to place a no tax increase bond on the April ballot. Approval would mean an extension to the amount of time needed to pay off bond debt.
“Were not trying to do anything extravagant were just trying to do what everybody else has already done,” Athletic Director Greg Garton, said.
He said those attending varsity home games on a Friday nights are faced with a lack of parking, seating, and a long wait at the concession stand.
The team plays all of its football games at the junior high stadium.
A new facility would double the amount of seating from 2,000 seats to 4,000, and include added parking.
According to Garton, the public reaction to the proposal has so far been positive. Community members can text feedback to the board at 417-893-0234.
Garton says a new field is more about the safety of the children for him. The facility would include an artificial turf that would dry quicker than the grass field.
“We always think about games but I think about as an AD and keeping kids safe on a wet day, now our football team is out practicing in the mud basically,” Garton said.
Currently, Republic High is the only team out of nine in the Central Ozark Conference’s upper division that doesn’t have a home stadium.
Soccer, track, and band members would also benefit from the new stadium. The entire project would cost an estimated $8 million.