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| Illustration courtesy GISD |
The residents of Galveston Island, still trying to recover from Hurricane Ike, have a decision to make: whether a $34.9 million new multipurpose stadium is worth an approximate 11 cents pday tax increase.
The new stadium, proposed by the Galveston Island Independent School District, would replace their current 61-year old stadium called Kermit Courville.
A political action committee knows as PASS, People Advocating Success for Students, is working to spread support for GISD’s bond referendum on May 8.
“I think that after 61 years its time to rebuild that venue and create an excitement that is no longer visible in our community,” PASS Committee Chair, Johnny Smecca tells Hair Balls.
The tax increase would be about 11 cents per day, or about three dollars a month, for a home assessed at $100,000 with a homestead exemption, Smecca said.
“To put in context that’s less than a cheeseburger a month,” he said.
The new stadium would include a full University Interscholastic League track giving GISD the opportunity to hold UIL-sponsored events in track and field as well as football, Farrow said. It would also hold other school events such as graduations, band competitions, dance competitions and concerts.
“It will be used by different groups than GISD. It is multipurpose so
others could use it too,” Johnston Farrow, GISD spkesman said.
GISD superintendent Lynne Cleveland said she has seen both positive and
negative responses to the bond proposal throughout the community.
“There are quite a few people who think it’s important and then those
who do not want the tax increase — the vote is all about letting the
community decide if they want a new stadium or not,” Cleveland said.
Smecca said he feels a multipurpose center is something lacking from the
current Galveston community.
“I think that Galveston obviously has so many natural beauties and
resources that are provided for community. We tend to forget about the
things that also make the community very attractive to families and
citizens — those are facilities and venues that families in the
community can come together and be a part of,” Smecca said.
Some features of the stadium include seating for 8,000 people, new turf
and drainage system, parking for 800 cars, four air-conditioned
buildings — one on each corner — housing concession stands, restrooms
and ticket booths, among various other amenities.
Though the current stadium was closed after receiving water damage from
Hurricane Ike, plans for a new stadium have been in the works for over
five years, Cleveland said.
The school district decided to form plans to build a new stadium instead
of renovating the old Kermit Courville one because renovations would
have cost over $20 million due to fulfilling Americans with Disabilities
Act regulations, which the stadium currently does not meet, Farrow
said.
“The new site would be raised to a higher level and built with concrete
instead of reinforced steel in attempt to cut down on damage that might
be sustained during a hurricane,” Farrow said. “The highest flood level
in Galveston was about 12 feet; the structure would be up past that.”
The land under the new stadium would also be raised 13 feet to meet FEMA
regulations require a building of its size to be at least 11 feet above
sea level, Farrow said.
Getting the public to vote yes will take a lot of educating, Smecca
said.
“We are trying to make sure that the public understands the project and
what it entails and the cost to each citizen,” Smecca said. “Things
don’t always go as planned at first. I believe there are a lot of
families who are young and looking for something to hold on to in
Galveston and we believe those people will come out a vote.”
Though the old stadium may be deficient, Galveston residents do not want
to let go of its name.
“People have been wondering what is going to happen to the Kermit
Courville name. He was a famous African American coach in Galveston. He
went to an African American high school here during segregation and
then went on to become a coach and help with integration,” Farrow said.
If the bond passes, construction will start immediately, with a plan
for the stadium to open for the 2012-2013 school year, Farrow said. The
new stadium would be built on a 20-acre lot already owned by the
district on 83rd street and the Seawall.
This article appears in Apr 1-7, 2010.