BATH/RICHFIELD — The Revere Local Schools District is planning major changes to the Revere High School stadium.

In addition to replacing the aging track, the district hopes to widen the playing field, install synthetic turf and reconfigure the visitor bleachers to accommodate the widened field.

According to David Forrest, Revere’s treasurer and chief financial officer, synthetic turf has been discussed before as part of a proposed new stadium, but it was not pursued. Forrest said the timing is right now, since the track at the existing stadium needs to be replaced, and doing both projects together provides “a great opportunity to maximize cost/benefits and economies of scale.”

Rather than maintain two stadiums, the district wants to have one premier facility with broad use, said Forrest. He noted the new turf field would be 70 yards wide, making it regulation size for soccer and, therefore, allowing the district to host soccer tournaments and other large events.

Forrest added the board was approached by an independent group of people interested in raising money for the turf project. At a Nov. 18 meeting, the Revere Board of Education officially endorsed a $1 million community fund-raising effort to be lead by a committee of these community members.

In a letter to the turf committee, the board agreed to move forward on the project once the turf committee receives written pledges for 75 percent of the $1 million goal. For its part, the board agreed to commit up to $1.5 million toward the cost of the stadium improvements, including, but not limited to, replacement of the track, and common fees related to the construction.

Also at the meeting, the board approved a contract with GPD Associates of Akron for design and construction management services for the stadium improvements at a cost not to exceed $89,300. GPD will prepare bid specifications, evaluate bids received and provide on-site construction management.

Jim Giltner, a leading member of the turf committee, said the group did a feasibility study over the summer and received a very warm response.

“No one has said no,” said Giltner, noting he had expected some resistance given the poor state of the economy.

He said the project is exciting since it would quickly make a big impact in the community. The new field, which Revere hopes to have installed and ready by fall 2009, would be used by many groups, including soccer, football, lacrosse and baseball teams, as well as the band.

Giltner said the turf committee is in the beginning stages of soliciting pledges for the project and will make a public announcement in the future. Giltner and his wife, Gail, who live in Bath, have six children; three are Revere graduates and three are current Revere students.

In other business, the board gave Forrest the authority to negotiate and enter into contracts for the sale or purchase of property. The board also gave Forrest the authority to enter into letters of intent on properties being considered for purchase.

While the board would still have final approval of any deal, these two measures allow Forrest to move forward to explore and evaluate the district’s options as it looks for a location for a new bus garage and works to determine how best to respond to increased enrollment in the elementary grades.

The district has been working on a long-range master plan for its facilities. Several options are being considered, including closing Bath Elementary School (the oldest facility in operation) and either moving students to other existing buildings — which would require renovations and/or additions — or constructing a new elementary school or a new high school.

Forrest said the board supports the idea of centralizing the district in a single campus area, but it is also exploring all of its options, including expanding onto properties adjacent to current buildings.

In student news, Revere High School Principal Bill Adams reported the district’s Veteran’s Day assembly Nov. 11 was very successful. Approximately 75 veterans and their guests were treated to breakfast, followed by a school-wide assembly complete with a color guard, choir performance, speech by U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Arturo Hernandez and a POW/MIA ceremony.

A dedication ceremony also took place for the district’s veteran’s memorial, which was created as an Eagle Scout project by 2008 Revere High School graduate Kevin Papp. Adams praised Papp for his commitment to the project, noting Papp not only created the memorial, but planned the dedication ceremony, too.

Recent donations to the district include:

• $500 to Hillcrest Elementary School’s library from Exxon Mobil Foundation, donated on behalf of parent Elissa Narhi as part of Exxon’s Volunteer Involvement Grant program;
• $1,000 from the Revere High School Soccer Parents Association for the Soccer Scholarship Fund; and
• $2,400 from the Revere All-Sports Booster Club for a trophy case ($1,000) and general support of the Athletic Department ($1,400).

The next regular Revere Board of Education meeting will be Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Bath Elementary School cafeteria, 1246 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road.