During and after a pre-bid meeting with contractors for a new Johnson Elementary School on April 19, there was more than just discussion on the impact and possible impact the new building could have on Bridgeport High School athletics. Some you have read about here, while another may not be new to the equation, but is likely new on the public knowledge front.

 

First, what Harrison County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Manchin has said was likely in the past is now going to be a certainty in the future. One of Wayne Jamison Field’s biggest remaining eyesores will soon be history.

 

While the pre-bid addressed questions from contractors and just went over some generalities prior to the bid opening set for this coming week, there was one thing the architect heading the JES project said would be done this year. And that is the demolition and construction of new bathrooms at Jamison Field.

 

The school project will likely be in full throttle when the Indians open the 2017 football and soccer seasons and it will likely create some inconvenience. However, contractors were told that the bathroom facility had to be finished by August 6. That means that it’s very likely the first thing done and finished will be the new restrooms, which are desperately needed.

 

It was after the meeting where Manchin explained a part of the project that could have long-term benefits to Bridgeport High School’s extracurricular programs from band to sports to theatre and beyond for the foreseeable future. And it could also benefit the entire community of Bridgeport.

 

“We’ll be sitting down with the City of Bridgeport before too long and discussing the extended gym at the new school,” said Manchin. “The gym will benefit the entire community and the school.”

 

Johnson Elementary is in desperate need of a gymnasium because the current school doesn’t have one. When the new school is built with a gym, unlike a high school gym, it likely won’t be utilized after school and most evenings for school sports teams. Additional gym space on the school campus along Johnson Avenue could have a huge benefit.

 

“It’s helpful when it comes to practicing; girls practicing, boys practicing, middle school practicing, volleyball, band, cheerleading and we see this gym alleviating some of that need for space,”  said Manchin.

 

So why the need to sit down with the City of Bridgeport? As one might expect, it is about dollars.

 

As has been mentioned before on Connect-Bridgeport, the city – through Home Rule – has the ability to provide tax dollars for school-related projects; something that cities without that exemption under Home Rule cannot legally do. Already, the city has used that exemption to help fund the expansion of the BHS gymnasium for more seating and also to allow for additional space for an emergency shelter.

 

“We all feel strongly that we want to see the gym built to a full regulation size,” said Manchin.

 

One thing that won’t happen is that the gym won’t have seating for a thousand people. The size of the gym floor, however, could depend on how much the city is willing to help.

 

“There’s been some discussion, but nothing concrete,” said City Manager Kim Haws. “We are looking at the possibilities of participating jointly on some of the facility components to make it more useful for the community and the students of our community. The decision on participation will be made by City Council and before any decision is finalized we’ll likely have detailed discussions.”

 

Of course, one may be wondering with the planned new indoor recreation complex in the works, why the need for additional gym space. Haws said understanding the premise of the new complex is the reason why the city needs to entertain assisting for an expanded gym that could be utilized by the students as well as the community during the construction process as opposed to missing the opportunity to make a move.

 

“I think we all know that school facilities, particularly gymnasiums, are used and maximized way beyond school hours and having an enhanced gymnasium actually would enhance the community,” said Haws. “In my near 20 years gymnasium space and indoor recreation has always been among the key community wants, which is why you have the indoor recreation complex taking place.

 

“The intent of Council with the indoor recreation complex is to create a destination location for the city by promoting it and bringing in outside groups to take advantage of new facilities,” Haws continues. “The enhancement there is on the economic front even though it will see community use.”

 

Eventually, Manchin would like to see a specific number dollar wise the city can contribute. He said a number hasn’t been broached and that he hopes that one can be discussed soon.

 

For BHS Principal Mark DeFazio, the discussion can’t come soon enough. DeFazio, who works closely with his assistant and school athletic director Matt DeMotto on scheduling issues, knows that gym space is a huge issue.

 

“We’ve talked to Dr. Manchin about this and (Johnson Elementary Principal) Vicki (Huffman) about this and she was on board,” said DeFazio. “We have times when you have kids practicing at 8:30 p.m. or 9 p.m. on a school night because there’s no gym available. We’ve had coaches have kids come to practice at 5 a.m. I guess that’s okay from time to time, but that’s something you want to avoid. Access to a second gym would relieve a lot of pressure on so many fronts.”

 

DeFazio said it’s not just sports. He said this will benefit band, the arts, theatre and more. And he said if people don’t think having access to quality facilities is often one of the determining factors for many families on where they locate to raise a family that they need to come spend a week with him.

 

“We actually had a family that called (Wednesday) that checked into our school about our academics, our sports programs, our arts program, the band; you name it and they wanted to know about it and now they want their child to come to Bridgeport,” said DeFazio. “The problem is they would end up living outside of Harrison County. I told them what is required to come to school here in Harrison County, but they were swayed by our academic and extracurricular success. I get calls weekly and you better believe every part of the educational pie is discussed, including our facilities for extracurricular activities.”

 

DeFazio cautioned anyone that would complain about city dollars going to the project for “extracurricular” activities versus academic endeavors is missing the point. And he said he has no problem telling individuals he believes they’re incorrect in that assessment that it’s a misappropriation of dollars.

 

“I hope the city is on board because this takes care of, first and foremost, the children of the community in their academic pursuits and also would allow the city to likely utilize the facility to meet community needs when required,” said DeFazio. “After 39 years starting from coaching to being a principal, I can tell you that extracurricular activities are as valuable to anything for the kids and that’s for band, theatre, sports, school clubs or anything else.

 

“Education is always our school’s first priority and every school’s first priority. The other half of the educational experience is the extracurricular activities that are offered and numbers back up that it improves the educational experience,” said DeFazio. “Kids that participate in extracurricular activities have higher attendance, better grades and are far less of a problem on a discipline front. Those activities are part of the learning we think is vital. I hope everyone can come together on this.”

 

Manchin said, at worst, everyone will hear one another out.

 

“We have a good working relationship with the City of Bridgeport who has just been fantastic through this entire process,” said Manchin. “They see the benefit of getting involved and we see the benefit. Now, we just have to work to see if it’s possible. I hope that’s the case.”

 

Stay tuned.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows BHS Assistant Principal  Matt DeMotto, right, with JES Construction Manager James Arnone of MBP, while second photo shows DeMotto, far right, with Dr.. Mark Manchin and JES Principal Vicki Huffman standing behind contractors at the recent pre-bid meeting. City Manager Kim Haws, third photo, and BHS Principal  Mark DeFazio, bottom, are shown below.