A massive, and pivotal, facelift is coming to the campus of Trigg County Schools.
With children playing on the playground, and construction crews working just up the hill, district officials broke ground on a new co-curricular activities building right next to Perdue Field Tuesday morning — in what will bring a new era to the historic field and its surroundings.
Superintendent Bill Thorpe noted it was the kind of change that could impact the schools, and the community, in perpetuity.
School districts, especially ones comparable to Trigg County Class 3A size, can manage one capital project every 15-to-20 years.
Matt Ladd, Director of Operations, remains thankful. A native of Cadiz and key collaborator of this project, he added that something of this magnitude can change program trajectory.
Some of Trigg County’s proudest extra-curricular programs will now have a permanent home for practices, storage and engagement — including wrestling, cheerleading, archery and band. A turf surface will allow several school organizations to practice indoors during inclement, unpleasant weather.
It’ll have restrooms and a ticket office for football and track events, too. Up the hill, ground has already broken for a new press box, more restrooms and a new concession stand — all of which were in a state of disrepair and dilapidation.
Sherman Carter Barnhart architect Andrew Owens gave full credit to a working board and its Chief Finance Officer, Holly Greene, for finding a way to transform the school system’s profile — while improving the city of Cadiz as a whole.
This isn’t an off-the-hip production. Board chair Jo Alyce Harper said this was the kind of project that’s been “a long time coming,” with hopes long-standing to improve and create anew on that side of the district property.
With a price tag of nearly $6.2 million for the entire project, the co-curricular building should be finished within 14 months, while the press box and possibly the concession stand could be available prior to the 2022 Wildcats football season.
During its last school board meeting, officials unanimously approved to file a waiver to the Kentucky Department of Education for the possible use of restricted bonding capacity in building an athletic center.
According to Greene, the district already has plans to use American Rescue Plan Act ESSER funds for this project, and have already moved $4.1 million from the general fund to begin efforts. Another $2.015 million will be sought in a general fund bond sale.
