Divided Norwin board OKs $25 million stadium project

A divided Norwin School Board has narrowly approved a $25.4 million stadium renovation.

Directors argued over whether it was an unnecessary extravagance for a district in debt or a long-overdue project that would provide a home for multiple sports teams and community activities.

In a 5-4 vote Monday, the school board approved the work, which is set to start in earnest after the football season ends in November. Completion is expected in summer 2027.

Directors Christine Baverso, Bill Bojalad, Tim Kotch, Matthew Thomas and Nina Totin voted to award the contracts for the stadium renovations, while Alex Detschelt, Shawna Ilagan, Ray Kocak and Heath Shrum opposed it.

The project will involve demolishing the home grandstands and replacing them with new bleachers, building a new press box containing community meeting rooms, a new concession stand and restrooms, and making the visitors seating area more accessible to those with disabilities. The ground floor underneath the bleachers will have space for training facilities.

The bids for the new artificial turf and the track, which was recommended by project designer Civil & Environmental Consultants of Monroeville, as well as for the light poles, were awarded through the state’s cooperative purchasing program, rather than a competitive bidding process like the other contracts. Bojalad, the board president, said he believed the cooperative purchasing price would give Norwin a better deal.

Kotch, a former Norwin administrator, said the renovations were necessary for the 60-year-old facility. He recalled a former board member saying previous boards were simply “kicking the can down the road” when it came time to fix the stadium.

Ilagan joined Detschelt in wanting a scaled-down renovation that would have cost close to $16 million. She was a consistent opponent of the more expensive and extensive renovation, contending there was no need for an area with community meeting rooms.

“It looks like it is the University of Pittsburgh. It’s way, way too fancy,” Ilagan said.

The upper level, which has space that could be used as a multipurpose room by the community and after school programs, is not needed, Ilagan said.

When questioned by Ilagan, Ryan Kirsch, the district’s finance director, said Norwin is between $90 million and $100 million in debt.

Detschelt contended the athletic stadium benefits only a small number of students for a short time, while adding debt through tax increases to pay for the project.

“Zero educational benefit. Zero benefit for the taxpayers,” Detschelt said. “In Norwin, we just continue to pile on debt that will never be paid off.”

Baverso countered by saying many student athletes use the field from numerous teams, and sports is part of education.

Kocak contended the project will cost more than the initial $25 million, when the change orders are filed by the contractors. Tariffs could raise the price of the materials and supplies, although Dan Kiefer, preconstruction director for Massaro CM Services of Pittsburgh, said the contractors’ base bids are guaranteed.

Shrum, who typically votes with the board’s five-member majority, said he has been “torn” on the stadium project since the beginning of the process.

“My gut’s telling me it’s not the right time,” in light of the uncertainty of the economy, Shrum said.

Several people in the audience voiced strong opposition to the project, citing the debt the school district will incur.

Catherine Forstyhe, former chairwoman of the Norwin Democratic Committee, said it “is the wrong time to undertake $25 million in debt,” when there is uncertainty in the economy.

The supporters’ “priorities are way out there. We don’t need this,” said Michael Tarr, adding anyone voting for the renovation is “not using your brain.”

The board awarded the following contracts for the project:

• General construction: R.L. Glancy & Sons of Pittsburgh, $19.98 million

• Plumbing: Shipley Brothers Construction Inc. of Cranberry, $1.28 million

• Heating, ventilating, air conditioning: Lugaila Mechanical Inc. of Findlay, $983,300

• Electrical: A-1 Electric, $1.95 million.

• Artificial turf: Keystone Sports Construction of Phoenixville, $648,000

• Track around the field: ATT Sports Inc. of Berlin, N.J., $508,000

• Two lights poles with illumination: Musco Sports Lighting LLC of Oskaloosa, Iowa, $124,400