Bethany Public Schools hears track and field improvements from LINGO Construction; savings fund extras

At a Bethany Public Schools board meeting, LINGO Construction presented completed improvements to the district’s track and field, saying the project replaced the surface, widened lanes and added features to improve safety and usability.

“We started this in early late May early June,” said Jacob Lingo of LINGO Construction, summarizing the schedule and scope. He said the contractor removed the old track, installed a higher‑grade surfacing and widened the track to meet running needs.

The contractor told the board contingency savings were repurposed to add work not in the original scope. “We were able to reduce the amount of sod that we used on the project, which resulted in about $42,000 in savings,” Lingo said. That money funded new fencing around the north‑side bleachers, additional pavement around the bleacher area for possible future expansion, new goal posts, added gates, grading and French drains to address ponding, and conduit installations for timers and sensors.

Contractors also described electrical repairs to field lighting that were resolved during the project and said new conduits will allow the timing and sensor equipment to be installed without surface wiring. Board members and staff thanked Adam and Michael (district staff) for helping guide the work and identifying needed items.

Board discussion covered future options for the opposing‑side bleachers on the south side. A board member said the slab placed on the south side is prepared for future seating; another estimated elevated bleachers would cost “anywhere from $50 to $70,000, probably closer to $50,000,” and said the district currently has no immediate budget for that addition.

Contractors said the track improvements have produced positive feedback from users, including cross‑country athletes, and that the work included added lane markings and jump boards that were not in the original scope. The presentation concluded with the contractors inviting questions and offering to respond to additional staff and board inquiries.

The board did not take further action on additional bleachers at this meeting; staff noted the site is prepared for future installation and that the district will consider funding timing when budgeting later.