Charlotte High School Sports Fields Update

The Charlotte High School Planning Committee realized early on in the rebuilding from the hurricane (August 13, 2006) that the planning and rebuilding had to be divided into at least two spheres; one sphere curriculum building needs and one sports field needs. With two big tasks at hand the infrastructure needs rose to the top in early discussions as water drainage issues currently impact the entire campus. To that end, the sports fields were addressed first in the planning process. Four planning meetings have already been held, the fifth is scheduled for May 24, 2006, at 4 p.m. at the Punta Gorda Center.

The Charlotte High School Planning Committee has preliminarily suggested moving the football field at Charlotte High School to a new location on campus. The Charlotte High School Planning Committee anticipates that football will be played on the current Charlotte High School field for at least one more season, possibly two, while design work and permits are sought relating water drainage issues. The Charlotte High School Planning Committee after much discussion and deliberation suggested a basic overall layout of the sports fields. The entire Charlotte High School coaching staff for all sports along with Charlotte High School Assistant Principal DeeLynn Bennett, Athletic Director Brian Nolan, and CCPS Maintenance/Operations Director Jerry Olivo met as a sub-committee to resolve design issues associated with the sports phase of construction. The Charlotte High School sports’ sub-committee presented its work, and brought the plan back to the Charlotte High School Planning Committee. The plan will be revised by Harvard Jolly, Architect and will now move on to final review by the School Board.

The Charlotte High School Student Government Planning Class under sponsorship of Instructor George Sansone has met with Assistant Superintendent for District Support Services Dr. Roseann Samson to formulate a plan for student input relating to the redesign and rebuilding of Charlotte High School. The Charlotte High School Student Government Planning Class focus will be on the overall campus layout with emphasis on classroom buildings relationships to the five buildings that survived the hurricane. The five buildings that survived are the two-story classroom building, Wally Keller gymnasium, Champ’s Café, Charlotte Performing Arts Center, and the exterior of the 1926-era three-story building.

On October 8, 2004, two months after Hurricane Charley destroyed its school and football field the Charlotte High School Tarpon football team and head football coach Binky Waldrop flew to New York as guests of the syndicated "Jane Pauley Show." Accompanying the team to New York were community members and other staff. A special Jane Pauley show segment called Friday Night Lights based upon H.G. Bissinger’s book which profiled Odessa, Texas and its heroic high school football team. The show featured the Charlotte High School football team. During the appearance, Charlotte High School head football coach, Binky Waldrop, was told that new lights and a scoreboard were being donated to Charlotte High School. The Charlotte High School football team left New York with the promise of a set of General Electric field light heads and a scoreboard from Sportable Scoreboards of Murray Kentucky.

General Electric has made good on its promise. The light heads are intended for permanent installation on the proposed shared sports and band practice fields once the fields are relocated and dedicated. General Electric is holding the light heads in safe

storage until the sports and band practice fields are ready, as the hurricane (August 13, 2004) damaged most of the secure storage space and storage space has been limited for the school district. Storage areas in the school district are in use protecting school equipment salvaged from the storm.

Sportable Scoreboards of Kentucky was asked to hold the scoreboard in safe keeping until the football field could be repaired. Sportable Scoreboards shipped the donated scoreboard on April 26, 2006. The scoreboard is being installed today (5/12/06) on the Charlotte High School football field. The scoreboard measurements are 8’ high x 28’ wide x 8" deep. It will include a 31" x 28’ sponsor board on the top, and a 31" x 28’ sponsor board on the bottom, encasing a Charlotte High School blue and yellow specifically designed Tarpon scoreboard. Jay Hammack, the Sportable Scoreboards Representative pledged help in any form to design and deliver the scoreboard. Jay. Hammack has been instrumental in offering a full array of design and color choices and has been calling weekly to share the manufacturing progress updates. (Jay Hammack, Sales Associate, Sportable Scoreboards, 106 Max Hurt Drive, Murray, KY 42071, 270-759-1600 Ext. 115, jayhammack@scoreboard1.com.

The physical installation of the scoreboard is being provided through Charlotte High School athletic fields budgetary funds. In addition, to the scoreboard valued at $11,995, Sportable Scoreboards of Murray Kentucky has also donated the shipping costs. Additional enhancements, including cable, horn, two sponsor panels, custom Tarpon logo, and keyboard control box, totaling $4,001, has been added to the Sportable donation and will be paid for through Charlotte High School athletic funds. The Charlotte County Public Schools Maintenance Department headed by Mr. Don Terry will oversee the installation. All work will meet wind load and manufacturer specifications for installation. Professional Engineering and Inspection Company, Inc. (PEICO) will provide the final inspection.

For verification contact:

Dr. Roseann K. Samson
Assistant Superintendent
Charlotte County Public Schools
1016 Education Avenue
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Phone: 941-575-5400