On Aug. 21, an unexpected situation unfolded in the large gym as the bleachers gave way, leaving the school community in need of urgent repairs. Now faced with the daunting task of financing the replacement, the school is aiming to restore the broken bleachers.
The bleachers suffered damage while being reclined after the first volleyball game of the season. Initial attempts to repair the bleachers involved collaboration with Carol Seating Company, but unfortunately, the bleachers broke again. These bleachers have been in service since 1998. However, the looming challenge lies in the considerable expense associated with repairing or replacing them. The school pursued a grant in order to fund this repair project.
“We have one company from Indiana and then we have another one, Carroll Seating, which gave us an estimate,” athletic director Steve Evans said. Evans said the original repairs began on Nov. 7.
However, shortly after the repairs, one section of the bleachers broke again after the freshman Greek Olympics. Evans said the company will install motors to fix this remaining section.
“I got an email from Tom Cotta who works at ISU,” Evans said. He actually sent the motors in now we just got to get the individuals who are experts in this area to install them.”
Faced with the crucial task of seeking financial support for this project, Evans and principal Andrea Markert explored various avenues, landing on a grant proposal as the final promising option.
“We don’t have a gym budget, per se,” Markert said. “But we do have things written into our budget. For example, I had already requested money from our district office to replace the bleachers which was denied this year. Understandably so; it’s a lot of money,” Markert said. “So then Evans started working, looking for grants.”
The outcome was successful as U-High has, on paper, secured a substantial $100,000 for the much-needed project. The grant, “Rebuild Illinois,” was awarded by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
“They said everything looks good and we should get rewarded with the grant and that money is $100,000 which I’ll work with Mrs.Markert on,” Evans said. “Hopefully it can go towards the bleachers, and in the meantime, I’m working on getting estimates for the brand new bleachers, which is over 100,000, that’s probably around $200,000 to $260,000.”
Because U-High is part of Illinois State University, the institutions take a collaborative effort to cover repairs within the building.
“If it’s behind the walls, like in the bowels in the building, then ISU covers it,” Markert said. “Where if it’s in the open area we cover it, except when it comes to safety issues.”
The attention now shifts positively towards repairs and upgrades.
“My guess is hopefully by the time everyone gets back from winter break that small section will be working, that’s your immediate time frame,” Evans said. “The time frame where we ever get brand new bleachers–like take these ones out and put new ones in– I would like for that work to take place over the summer.”
