Carlisle board reviews Ken Millen Stadium renovation plan, estimates $1.72–$1.76 million for next phase

District athletic-facility planning returned to the Facilities Committee Dec. 4 with details for the next phase at Ken Millen Stadium: under-bleacher renovations and east-side bleacher upgrades to create team rooms, a visiting-team locker room, a training room, upgraded restrooms (including family restrooms), and storage.

Dr. Michael Black said the district’s 2019 feasibility work envisioned a three-phase program costing roughly $10–$12 million to complete all projects. With about $3 million available in 2025, the district completed the turf field, a stadium of roughly 750 seats, and tennis courts, and is now proposing the east-side renovation as the next priority. Dr. Black told the committee the current contract bid places the stadium renovation between $1.72 million and $1.76 million; the construction schedule is estimated at 16–20 weeks, with a target to be completed and ready for fall sports in 2026.

The renovation will provide heated, non-winterized team rooms and expanded support spaces so teams will not need to use school hallways or porta-potties during inclement weather. The plan includes three team rooms on the west side and five on the east side, plus a visitor locker room and training room. The district also expects to use a portion of remaining project funds to buy lockers, benches, training-room equipment and other furnishings.

Board members asked about ancillary issues — a small technology/trailer building near the tennis courts, conditions for existing home-side bathrooms, lighting and preserving home-field advantages — and were told the administration is evaluating options including demolition or renovation of the small building and that certain home-side bathrooms are not part of the current scope. Dr. Black said the full athletics program — tennis, turf, and these renovations — represents an investment in the range of $5 million over multiple years while prioritizing projects to fit available funds.

No final contract award was taken at the meeting; the committee will return proposed contract documents and appropriation details for board approval in the coming weeks.