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Ensure Stadium Work Is Adequate

Ohio County Board of Education members have not had a very happy new year. First, they learned property values are down, so tax revenue to fund schools will be less next year.

Then, they watched as Gov. Jim Justice and legislators failed to come to agreement on a budget. That means how much state aid county school systems will receive next year is in question.

Finally, the wall came crashing down, literally. Earlier this month, a section of Wheeling Island Stadium failed. Then a section beside it fell to the ground.

Board members are receiving an excellent education on money problems.

On Monday, board members voted unanimously to seek bids for repair of the stadium. School Superintendent Kim Miller estimates the cost may be around $700,000. Repairs will take about five months, cutting into the beginning of high school football and soccer seasons later this year.

Concrete panels at the very top of the stadium are the problem. Over the years, material used to anchor them has deteriorated. A new system to secure them in place needs to be installed.

During Monday’s board meeting, Eric Matyskiela of the engineering firm that looked into the problem outlined steps to make repairs.

There are similar concrete panels on the sides of the stadium seating area. Matyskiela said there are no plans to re-anchor them. But neither he nor board members dismissed the possibility of doing that work.

It should be considered. If panels on the sides of the seating area were anchored the same way as those at the top, they, too, may have deteriorated. Though they may not need new supports now, they may well require them in a few years.

Board members, relying on advice from the engineer, should consider seeking bids for that area of the stadium, too. Doing so could be less expensive in the long run.

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