Newspapers / The Kings Mountain Herald … / March 28, 2012, edition 1 / Page 12
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Page 4B The Kings Mountain Herald | www.kmherald.net March 28, 2012 on te Kings Homa Tochdon The Kings Mountain Touchdown Club has officially launched its $1.3 million fund drive to replace deteriorating athletic Jacilises at John Gamble Stadium. The club began meeting with Cleveland County: School administrators two years ago to discuss the aging field house, concession stands, and press ~ box at Kings Mountain High. All of the facilities were built and occupied during the years of 1967-1971. At the time it was built, KMHS fielded eight sports. Today, 26 teams uti- lize the facilities. The facilities are simply too small and inadequate to serve the student athletes, coaches, and fans. Once used only for high school football, Gamble Stadium is now used by the high school and middle school. These activities include: JV and Var- sity football, men’s and women’s track, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, and physical education classes. It is also used for high school graduation. David Brinkley, president of the KMTD Club, points out that in the late 1960’s, the JV and Varsity football programs at KMHS served only 60 to 70 players and the coaches’ offices were designed for four to five coaches. Currently, there are well over 100 JV and Varsity players and 12 to 15 coaches. The coaches’ offices are not only out-dated, but undersized. The locker rooms are outdated, and there are not enough lockers to serve all of the players. The locker rooms are so small that most players dress near the water heater and in the showers. The small amount of storage . space available and the washroom Facilities are obsolete and grossly under- sized. \ The concession stand, press box, and public rest rooms are far too small to accommodate the public needs, especially at large events such as foot- ball games and graduation. There is only one small rest room for men and one for women, and they are so inadequate that many fans refuse to go in them. The concession stands serving both football and baseball are posi- tioned so that parents and volunteers working in them cannot see the ball game. The press box was originally designed for the PA announcer, spotter, clock operator, and the local newspaper reporter. It js now crowded every Friday night as the games are no longer covered by just one paper, but by several newspapers and radio stations. Coaches spotting or advising other coaches on the field, as well as persons filming the games, have to climb a steep ladder to the top of the press box. Two years ago, the touchdown club looked at enlarging Bill Bates Field House, but it would cost as much as building a new facility. The touchdown club first suggested that a 1,000 square foot locker room for girls be added to that building but the idea was rejected by Title IX. If the funds necessary to construct a new field house are received, the existing field house will be renovated to serve the female athletes. wy ; The new field house will be constructed on the practice field near the present football weight room. Cleveland County School administrators have indicated that within the next 3 to 5 years the school system will build a concession stand/bathroom at the softball field and a softball/baseball field house located between the baseball and softball fields. The Touchdown Club now embarks on a major fund-raising effort to im- prove the facilities in the following phases: : Phase 1 - Construct a new 12,000 square foot field house at an estimated cost of $900,000. It would include space for coaches and athletic director offices, locker rooms and showers, and storage rooms. A multi- -purpose room is also included that can be used by all sports when the weather pre- vents them from practicing outside. The plans incorporate new training rooms, rest rooms, a conference room, and a lobby where championship plaques and all-star awards will be displayed. Hopefully, this phase can begin during the summer of 2012 and be completed by November 2012. Touchdown Club You can ma ; | ve fl : | . l As / the Ji A { Phase 2 - Demolish the press box and build new rest room facilities at John Gamble Stadium, along with constructing a new concession stand be- tween the football and baseball stadiums to serve both sports. The esti-- mated cost of Phase 2 is $400,000. To finance the project, the Touchdown Club today is s Tufching aa three-year, $1.3 million fund/pledge drive. Persons are asked to pledge an amount over a three-year period. At least one-third of the Phase 1 project (field house) must be on deposit before the financing agency, First National Bank, will allow the project to begin. 3 President Brinkley stresses that both phases cannot be accomplished at the same time because the concession stand and press box cannot be: tori down until football season is over. The goal is to begin that project by carly, 2013. He said the club hopes to lower the cost i the project by encouraging local contractors to contribute materials and labor at their cost or as a dona- > tion. For instance, when Tommy Hall of Hall Builders learned about the proj ect he approached the KMTD Club and volunteered to construct the field | house building at his cost. Robbie Henderson of Forever Green has volun- teered to dig the footings, and Ty Toney of Flooring America has promised 3 to give a very competitive price for flooring. According to Brinkley, Tommy Hall will gather three quotes from local contractors and sub-contractors. The hope is that electrical, plumbing, con- crete, heating/air, and other contractors will offer “in-kind” gifts. Interesied contractors are urged to call Tommy Hall at Hall Builders. #4 In addition to soliciting area businesses, corporations, individuals, civic clubs, etc., the club hopes to reach all graduates of Kings Mountain High School for their support. There have been over 12,000 graduates since : 1970. There are more than 15,000 people living in the city limits of Kings Mountain, and several thousand more in what was the old Kings Mount inh School District. : ag “Out of this group there are many sports fonts: mothers, fatherd) =) fakes deities % mothers, and grandfathers who attend graduation or come to watch the . band on Friday night,” Brinkley said. “We hope all of thom will conside participating. This is a community project.” Brinkley emphasized that if one thousand people get shvolved and pledge an average of $500 per year for three years, it would cover the cost of the entire project. : A donor board will be placed on the lobby wall of the new field jie! to 3 recognize everyone at the level they donate (minimum $100 per year). Those donations may be made directly to the Kings Mountain Touch- % down Club, or by monthly bank draft at First National Bank. For more in- formation go to KMTD Club’s website at www.KingsMountainTouchdown Club.webs.com or visit Facebook and “like” the Kings Mountain Touch, : down Club. : There are naming rights associated with the following large donations: : | | | » | | * Field House $210,000 ($70,000 per year for three years) a0 * Press Box. $150,000 ($50,000 per year for three years) | | | | | | | ~ *Multi Purpose Room $90,000 ($30,000 per year for three years) “We're asking everyone to reach out tq The Mountaineer Nation,” Brink- ley said. “Reach out to all the graduating classes. Their children and grandchildren will be the ones benefiting from this project. The Kings Mountain Touchdown Club does not have a staff and we are not fund rais- ers, so we are looking to the community for leadership to help us.” All gifts are tax deductible. Pledges and checks may be mailed to Kings Mountain Touchdown Club Building Fund, P.O. Box 2017, Kings Mountain, NC 28086.
The Kings Mountain Herald (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
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March 28, 2012, edition 1
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