Stadium renovations delayed

     Coal City High School’s stadium renovation project will not be completed in time for the home football opener.
    The district was informed by the contractor early Tuesday that construction of the new concession, restroom and storage facility has been delayed and there is no way it will be ready for the first game Aug. 25.
    In fact, Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg said it could be mid-September before the space is completed and ready for use.
    “This is due  to a variety of factors including scheduling ComEd to move transformers and delays with construction of the building from FBI, which is now not scheduled to arrive until Aug. 1,” Bugg said.
    R.L. Sohol General Contractor of Plainfield was awarded the bid for the project in late April.
    “We knew going into this that we were on a very tight time schedule with the new building, so this is not a complete surprise,” Bugg said.
    The good news is construction is wrapping up on the new free standing 1,525 seat ADA compliant grandstand so hosting games is not an issue.
    In order to accommodate spectators, Bugg said portable restroom facilities will be available and a meeting with the Coal City Athletic Boosters has been scheduled to discuss putting together a creative plan for concessions.
    “I believe we can take advantage of this delay and provide something new and unique for our fans,” Bugg said.
    The Coalers are scheduled to host six games this fall.
    The stadium renovation is the last major capital project on the Board of Education’s list. It’s goal has been to complete large scale projects prior to the conclusion of its property tax agreement with Exelon Nuclear in 2018.