With actual work beginning Wednesday to remove three fire hydrants from the site of a potential new stadium for Howard School, dare we think out of the box?
Could such a stadium, just off Interstate 24 and easily accessible, be built as a community stadium, one that affords the venerable school’s football and track teams a new home but one that is so attractive it could be the site of games involving other schools when the Hustlin’ Tigers are on the road? One that is so well taken care of that it hosts district or region track meets? One that might be a neutral site for – dare we suggest it – the Baylor-McCallie football game?
The price of a stadium is pegged at $6 to $10 million, but could it be a true community venture? New high school stadiums are not traditionally funded these days by the Hamilton County Board of Education, which is dependent on the Hamilton County Commission for its outlays.
Yet, state Sen. Todd Gardenhire said Wednesday the school system was expected to have trees removed from the property and fund the start of construction.
But if it is to be a community stadium, would the Hamilton County Commission be willing to kick in some money to add to the portion of nearly $1 million that the Board of Education voted earlier this year to use to repair or replace seven high school football stadiums across the county?
Has anyone attempted to access grants or foundation dollars?
Could there be a contest among local architectural firms to compete and offer – at no charge – the best design? Could Howard School’s own architecture and engineering students help? Could area building firms each contribute workers to erect it? Could Howard’s residential and commercial construction students and the construction academy at East Ridge High School be involved?
What local firms might discount their products or services to have a true community stadium and one that would be a boost for a school where low-income parents have little extra money to earmark for such a project? Would Howard boosters, alumni, parents and students be willing to provide sweat equity for it?
Would a number of area landscape firms each contribute a worker or two to sod and landscape it? Might a turf company be willing to donate its product? Could Chattanooga State Community College’s students in landscape and turf management take on the field as an ongoing project?
Chattanooga is a generous city where many people help their fellow man in many ways and where creativity and innovation in business and entrepreneurship abound. This is one such effort that could pay benefits for students for years to come.