Insurance expert says Gilpin Field football stands need kickboards

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

New Rogers City Area Schools? (RCAS) superintendent Jamie Huber inherited a number of building and grounds projects when he took the reins of the district, July 1. The old high school gymnasium lockers, which have been in use since the high school opened and are showing their age, are going to be removed and new ones installed. School officials are hoping there isn?t much of a delay in getting them delivered. They have been told the lockers might not be delivered before the new school year starts. Chemistry room 17 also was found to need some refurbishment and that?s being worked on this summer.

THE ROGERS City Sports Boosters are working with the district in getting a digital sign placed at the intersection of U.S.-23 and Huron Avenue. It is delayed, as a zoning variance is needed before the new communication tool can go in place.

There are other projects in the works, though. One that has been talked about for months is a new concession/restroom facility to be constructed at Gilpin Memorial Field. Members of the property and facilities planning committee have had a site visit at Cheboygan High School and are trying to look at Inland Lakes High School?s facilities, but as of mid July, they were still working on making that happen.

Committee chairman Tim Horn said he has prints of the Cheboygan High School soccer field/concession stand/restroom for other board members to look at. ?It is a general idea of perhaps what the Gilpin Field project could be like,? said Horn at the July 13 board of education meeting. Huber has the plans at the central office. The committee will be getting together with representatives of the boosters to discuss what the next steps are going to be.

HUBER HAS another conc

ern, and it may tie into the concession/restroom proposal. In June, Gus Kihlstrand, the district?s SET SEG (school insurance specialist) risk control consultant, conducted a walk through of RCAS? facilities. In summarizing the overall claims and site review he noted in a letter: ?It is evident the district places a great deal of emphasis on good risk management practices in an effort to maintain a safe environment for staff as well as students and the general public.? Kihlstrand noted a couple of items to address, specifically the Gilpin bleachers that need kickboards added to reduce the possibility of a fall.

?If you recall last year, we looked for quotes to cover that gap on our bleachers,? said Huber. There were no bids submitted the last time. Huber is going to be taking the steps to get that job done as soon as possible. The consultant also suggested a couple of playground issues that need to be addressed. Huber said staff would handle those.