Norwin OKs study for stadium project

The proposed Norwin Knights Stadium project to demolish home side grandstands and construct auxiliary facilities at the field took another step forward this week when the Norwin School Board awarded a contract to an engineering firm to conduct a project study.

The school board awarded a $112,300 contract to Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc. of Monroeville to conduct the study on demolishing the concrete home side grandstand along with constructing new restrooms, a press box building and aluminum grandstands.

The engineering firm will charge $56,100 for pre-design services that includes engineering work, geotechnical engineering, surveying and a wetlands and streams assessment. The company will charge $66,200 for the civil engineering design and construction-related permitting services, including schematic design work and design development.

If the district opts for CEC to provide additional services, such as land development work, sewage module and obtaining stormwater permits, Norwin would pay another $89,100.

The school board was told in April that the project could cost $15 million, depending on the extent of the work the district decides to do.

School board President Matt Thomas said he was not certain how long the initial study will take to complete — but likely in the fall.

The demolition and replacement of a maintenance building will be studied, as well as improvements in the area for a turnaround/drop-off and parking at the level of the visitors’ bleachers. The study will consider accessibility for parking and use of the field house.

CEC said a review of the facilities in January 2020 found that the visitors’ seating area had limited access; access for those with disabilities was unknown. The engineering firm did not find any accessibility to the upper level of the bleachers for those with disabilities.

CEC said in its proposal it would work with DRAW Collective, Norwin’s designated architect, on the project.

The district has yet to decide when it wants to begin demolition of the home-side grandstand, but it will impact the use of the field, Thomas said. It is expected that Norwin would play all of its home football games for the 2025 season at other fields.