Board discusses athletic‑complex construction, turf and bleacher plans amid neighbor concerns

District staff provided a detailed update on progress at the new athletic complex and answered questions from board members and community attendees about surfaces, bleachers and neighborhood impacts.

"Despite some weather setbacks, we're still on schedule, and that's great to share with you," said Josh (S2), reporting that field lights were delivered, scoreboard footings poured and poles were scheduled to be installed. S2 told the board the project is "right on budget" to date and described upcoming sand hauling, cut‑and‑fill work and coordination with adjacent landowners to avoid crop damage.

Community members and some board members pressed for clarity about playing surfaces and seating. Several speakers asked whether varsity softball would move onto turf; S2 said the artificial surface is planned for the football field and related end zones, with some adjacent areas surfaced for events, and that the facility would not be sized as a varsity baseball field. "It would be on turf," S2 confirmed for the football field, but added the plan does not intend to move varsity softball onto turf.

Residents also asked about bleachers: whether visitor bleachers would remain in Maynard so that third parties (for example, rodeo organizers) could use them. S2 and other staff said some existing bleachers will be disassembled and reassembled at the new site and that new bleachers had been priced; the district indicated it expects to reuse certain seating rather than purchase all new units. One community member (S8) praised volunteer maintenance of local diamonds and urged the board to consider that history before relocating facilities.

The board also discussed the need for a new crow's nest/press box that meets updated codes; staff said code and safety updates drove the decision not to leave an older structure in place. Questions about whether certain amenities were included in initial proposals led to clarifications from project staff and the contractor representatives on site.

What happens next: Work continues on the field (pole installation and surfacing); staff will keep the board and public updated, and the district will address clarifications about bleacher placement and community access to seating when finalizing site plans.