At a Feb. 4 Community School District trustees meeting, Boothbay Region High School Principal Dan Welch called the school’s aging bleachers “dangerous” and said they need to be replaced.

Maintenance Supervisor Dave Benner has been getting bids for the installation of new bleaches and removal of the old ones in the BRHS gym.

So far, the lowest bid has been from a North Berwick company, Hussey Seating Company. All engineering and building for Hussey bleachers is done in Maine.

“It will be nice to use a Maine company,” Chairman Chris Buchanan said.

According to Benner, their bid for new bleachers (which includes removal of the old ones) is $51,798. The company would require three days to remove the current bleaches and one week to install the new ones. It would take between 10 and 12 weeks for the bleachers to arrive if ordered in the spring, or 14 weeks if ordered in the summer.

“That's a really good price,” Benner said. “I expected it to be a lot more.”

The new bleachers would be solid, with no gaps between the seating and floor. This means if something is dropped, it wouldn’t fall through and land on the floor underneath. They also include proper steps (two per tier) and handrails, and areas specifically designed for wheelchairs. Backs can be added to the seats for an additional cost.

One big perk with Hussey bleachers is the design element, which is included in the cost. When the bleachers are folded up, they create a design or logo which enhances the gym. There are 15 color choices, and buyers can use any three colors. Hussey Seating Co. helps with the graphic creation.

The trustees spoke about logo ideas, which would be based around a Seahawk, when CSD trustee Kevin Anthony suggested that they bring the students in on planning.

“The leadership team would do an excellent job at that,” Welch said.

The trustees discussed where the money for installation would come from.

Superintendent Eileen King has just signed a contract locking in a fuel rate of $2/gallon for the 2015-2016 school year. This rate represents a savings of over $50,000 from last year, which is almost exactly what is needed for the new bleachers.

“We can't afford to keep waiting on these bleachers; the ones we have right now are dangerous,” Buchanan said.

More safety issues

The trustees also discussed two other important safety matters, the bleachers at the elementary school, and the crosswalk.

According to Benner, it would cost approximately $10,000 to install handrails on the BRES bleachers.

“We could tap into our reserve if we have to,” Buchanan said.

As far as the Route 27 crosswalk between the schools and the Boothbay Region YMCA is concerned, the trustees are still looking to install LED signs and either lighted lines under the pavement or at least reflective markers.

They have asked Benner to speak to the YMCA Executive Director Andy Hamblett about sharing costs of the upgrades.

“I'd be glad to talk to Andy,” Benner said.

“Al these projects are important,” Welch said. “We have thousands of people in our bleachers, and kids are walking back and forth between the school and the Y every day.”

The trustees did not take any official votes on the new projects, but are moving forward with planning. Their next meeting is on Wednesday, March 4 at 5:15 p.m. in the BRHS library.