Bridgeport High School Principal Mark DeFazio has been around long enough to know that whenever there’s progress in the system there’s also a little bit of inconvenience. And when it comes to the new Johnson Elementary School that could see earth work start later this year, it’s going to cause some inconvenience to those utilizing Wayne Jamison Field.

 

“We know change is coming and we know it will impact us, but we don’t know to what level just yet,” said BHS Principal Mark DeFazio.

 

The change in question will involve the parking lot in front of Wayne Jamison Field and the main entrance to the same complex. Although plans are still in the works, Harrison County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Manchin has already said part of the parking lot will be utilized as part of the new $16.7 million school.

 

“We’re still assessing the impact, but based on (recent) discussion the new building may be sitting near the entrance and the staging area for equipment and other materials could also be near that site,” said Manchin. “The question we have to answer is there a way to use the permanent entrance or a temporary entrance?

 

“We’re very sensitive to how important that facility is to Bridgeport High School and the community,” he continued. “I think we can minimize the impact and once we figure out how, we’ll apprise the school, the parents and the community, but yes, that’s an important question in this process.”

 

DeFazio said he hopes to meet with Dr. Manchin this coming week to talk about the impact on the parking lot as well as the entrance to the facility.

 

“I think the problem we have with the access to the field is more on how we bring in the cars that have to come into the field and the handicapped cars we bring into the field,” said DeFazio. “We can’t move the concession stand and, hopefully, there’s no talk of doing anything to that building because there’s been a whole lot of time and money invested in that building.

 

The good news is that a decision doesn’t have to be made immediately. Manchin said he doesn’t anticipate the project going out to bid until late fall or early winter, which means there will be ample time for a decision to be made. The first sports seasons that could be impacted would be the 2017 track and field and baseball seasons, both of which use the main entrance and the parking lot.

 

“We have time to deal with it, but I don’t think there’s any doubt that it’s going to have some impact on parking and we hope limited impact on the entrance to the field,” said DeFazio. “Certainly, we’re going to be cooperative with this because God knows there needs to be a new Johnson Elementary School.”

 

While the parking is utilized for multiple sports, the parking lot is a revenue producer as well. DeFazio said that the spaces are sold for the football season and the funds raises aren’t insignificant.

 

DeFazio estimated that upwards of $5000 is produced by parking and related season ticket sales during football season. The money is utilized, he said, by the BHS Athletic Boosters and also the school itself, which is why knowing all of the impacts are critical.

 

“We want to make sure we talk with everyone to know all the details relating to the parking lot and the entrance to the field. I can’t tell you exactly where the new building will sit because it may be more advantageous one way or the other,” said Manchin. “What I can tell you is the entry of the field will be impacted. The good news is that we have time work it out.”

 

As for working it out, DeFazio said he’s certain the most reasonable solution will be brought to the table.

 

“Without a doubt I have full confidence in working with Dr. Manchin and also working with the architect to try to figure out what’s best,” said DeFazio. “My biggest concern as far as revising the entrance is that concession stand. I would make the argument, if necessary, not to touch the concession stand. At the same time, we’ll figure this out because there’s only one way in and one way out.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the main entrance to Jamison Field, while Mark DeFazio is shown in the middle and Dr. Mark Manchin below.