School District Presents Plans for Wildcat Park Project

A new entrance to the football stadium, artificial turf and bleachers are planned as part of the Wildcat Park project.

John Folkman, district director of business services, and Bob Orovets of ThenDesign Architecture presented design plans at a workshop meeting of the Mayfield Village Planning and Zoning Commission. The project is also expected to be on the commission's Nov. 7 agenda.

Orovets said most elements of the athletic fields, located behind , will remain the same. He said the football field will be enlarged to accommodate soccer, artificial turf will be installed and there will be a new track surface.

New lighting is also planned – Orovets said the six large light poles at the field will be replaced by four smaller ones. The visitor side bleachers are scheduled to be replaced, while the home bleachers will be renovated and a new stadium entrance with turnstiles, ticket booths, concession stands and new bathrooms.

"The visitor's bleachers are in terrible shape," said Orovets, adding that the new bleacher will have seating for 1,000 people.

Folkman said project cost estimates have not been determined and are being prepared by a construction management firm. He said the turf field is contingent on fundraising efforts and would cost about $700,000.

However, other elements such as the bleachers are a safety issue and will be paid by the district.

"We think it's a reasonable thing for us to undertake," Folkman said. He added that a plaza area will also be part of the private fundraising effort and plaques and donor walls are planned.

"They're going to have to move at some point beyond the pledges and collect cash," Folkman said, referring to the Wildcat Community Foundation established to raise funds.