South Elgin booster club hopes to raise $3 mil to build stadium
High school boosters are typically known for their fundraising efforts for score boards, goal posts and warmup jackets.
But a $3 million stadium? That's a totally different ballgame.
After years of planning, South Elgin High School's Booster Club officially launched its stadium fundraising initiative this week - a seemingly unprecedented feat among its suburban high school peer groups.
"We know a referendum (to build a stadium) is not going to happen. We all know the state of the economy and the state of the school district," Booster Club President Mike Bersani, of Bartlett, said. "We know that this is going to be challenging. Which is why we haven't tried to bite off more than we can chew."
Bersani and club President Karen Weedman presented the three-tiered plan to the Elgin Area School District U-46 board this week. The entire project would cost approximately $3 million.
The first phase, an estimated $500,000, would add 1,500 bleachers and a scoreboard to the running track and field on the east side of the school. A brick paver walkway would extend from the school's parking lot to the field. A second phase would include artificial turf on the field. The third and final phase would add more bleachers, a concession building with washrooms and a plaza in front of the stadium.
No public funds will be requested or used for the project, Bersani told the school board. And construction of each of the phases won't begin until the needed funds are raised.
Th club has also met with Superintendent Jose Torres, as well as principals of each of the district's high schools, Weedman, also of Bartlett, said.
Members were given the go-ahead to begin raising funds after Monday's presentation. The board will again consider approving the building plans once the funds are raised, President Ken Kaczynski said.
The club first began working with architect Steve Wright of Elgin-based Dahlquist and Lutzow Ltd. in 2007, Bersani said. All architect fees have been paid through fundraising.
The boosters plan to raise funds for the stadium through private donations and, in exchange, offer naming rights and facility advertising opportunities, all subject to approval by the school board. Members hope to have construction finished on the first phase by next summer, so the bleachers and scoreboard can be in use by fall 2011.
While Elgin, and Streamwood High School each have their own stadiums, Bartlett, Larkin and South Elgin do not. South Elgin's football team plays home games at Streamwood's Millennium Field.
"It would be nice to have all the high schools have their own facilities. Economics don't always allow that," Kaczynski said. " I think this project is in its early stages. I think they're doing it right. They're working with the district, trying to answer all the questions. We'll just see how this goes. There's still a lot of work to be done."
The South Elgin Booster Club is believed to be the first suburban booster club to undertake an entire stadium project on its own.
Naperville North and Central high schools both recently got synthetic turf in their stadiums, but that was paid for through a tax increase approved in a 2008 referendum. However, at North, the booster club also partnered with the athletic and activities departments to raise $130,000 for a new scoreboard and ticket booth, and an archway and brick plaza at the entrance, athletic Director Doug Smith said.
The Athletic Boosters in Barrington District 220 formed a group called Friends of the Stadium that helped raise $1.1 million in enhancements for Barrington High School's football stadium in 2008. They included synthetic turf, toilets with plumbing and a giant scoreboard.
• Daily Herald staff writers Melissa Jenco and Eric Peterson contributed to this report.