New Indian Valley High School Stadium is under construction

One of the biggest and best things to look forward to after this pandemic allows people to leave their homes is the new $7.285 million stadium and field house currently under construction at Indian Valley High School in Gnadenhutten.

The weather and rain have been an issue.

“Since mid-October it’s rained frequently enough that the ground hasn’t had a good chance to dry out. Fortunately it hasn’t impacted the final schedule yet,” said Ira Wentworth, superintendent of Indian Valley Schools. “There was enough float built into the schedule that they’ve been able to rearrange some things and just do some of the construction items in a different order. So right now we are still on track, but it has impacted construction a little.”

The coronavirus crisis is something crews have been able to work around.

“Right now they are still able to continue working in small crews where they can meet the social-distancing requirements,” Wentworth said.

With news about the coronavirus crisis unfolding almost daily, it remains to be seen whether problems due to the pandemic could occur with obtaining the artificial turf that will be used in the stadium.

“There are some question as to when the employees for the turf manufacturing plant in Georgia will report back to work,” Wentworth said, adding the virus hasn’t impacted the schedule yet.

The capacity of the new stadium is rated at 3,000.

“We will have 2,100 seats on the home side at the new stadium, 800 on the visitors’ side. Then we’re going to bring over one set of bleachers from Kelly Field that holds about a hundred for the visiting band,” Wentworth said.

All the capacity measurements are based upon the industry standards of an 18-inch seat.

Kelly Field in Midvale currently holds a total of about 2,400 people with only 480 of those seats on the visitors’ side.

When completed, the new project will benefit all sports at the school, not just football and track and field.

“Students in every sport including baseball, softball, volleyball, golf, cross country and wrestling will be able to use the weight room area inside the field house,” Wentworth said. “That will benefit everyone.”

The field house will do double duty. After football season is over, the visitors’ locker room will double as a wrestling room in the winter. The concession stand and public restrooms also will be located in the field house.

The new parking area will hold about 250 cars, which would cover day-to-day use and most events. Overflow parking would be on the grass, which is common at many other facilities.

Using artificial turf has many advantages including weather is less likely to impact a practice or an event.

“The turf makes the site more appealing for OHSAA (Ohio High School Athletic Association) to assign play-off games,” Wentworth said. “We would get a nominal rental fee from the OHSAA that helps the athletic department, but it brings more money in for the athletic boosters who operate the concession stand during games.”

Indian Valley would be able to host marching band events as well, which would benefit the music boosters.

The project is being overseen by ThenDesign Architecture and Beaver Constructors Inc.

The first event scheduled to be held at the new stadium is the preseason Football Jamboree with the West Holmes School District scheduled for mid-August. It showcases each teams’ play from the middle school teams through varsity.

Once the new stadium is completed, Kelly Field in Midvale will be used by the junior high football team. The stadium will still be open to the community for walking and events like the Lion’s Club Halloween costume judging.

Wentworth feels fortunate to have the Midvale field available if the project is delayed. “It’s fine because we have a back-up facility. Many schools don’t have that,” he said.