The Washington Community School Board held their final work session last night on the renovation of the Hatchet Hollow Football Field. While the talk was all positive and everyone agreed the facility needs an upgrade, the main focus last night centered on the track at the facility. The issue was whether or not to build a six- or eight-lane track, and the second point was whether or not to add a track at all. Cost being the main concern from those who spoke out, adding the track will add around one million dollars to the project, which will knock the corporation’s rainy-day fund down to about one million dollars. It was again expressed that whatever is decided, no increases in taxes will be needed to fund the renovation. The track coaches were both on hand and said the need was there, and having this new facility close to the high school, junior high, and even upper elementary was a positive move. And the track would make this an even better multi-use facility. Band director Brandon Burris also spoke out about the exciting changes being considered. The new numbers did come in lower than previously figured, and adding the extra two lanes to the track would work according to the new drawings while adding just over $130 thousand dollars to the cost. In the end, the group told the architect to move forward with the eight-lane track option for consideration. A final vote will be held at the school board’s regular meeting on Thursday.
