The football stadium at Riverside Park will get security cameras after vandalism earlier this year.
USD 257 board members approved the purchase of eight cameras to be stationed around the stadium, including at entrances to the bandstand and on the scoreboard. The cameras use infrared technology for nighttime activity and can be recorded and monitored from a remote location.
Because the stadium is not climate controlled, the control system will need to be kept off site, either at the board office or high school, requiring the district to extend internet services to the stadium. That had been the sticking point, Ben Prasko, the district’s technology coordinator, said.
He received bids from LaHarpe Telephone and Kwikom. LaHarpe Telephone’s bid was thousands of dollars higher because it would require building more infrastructure. Kwikom’s bid allows the district to upgrade to faster speeds and potentially offer the stadium as a “hotspot” for the community and visitors. Kwikom’s installation fee was estimated at $1,500 but would have a monthly service fee.
Board members mostly seemed to like the idea of having a hotspot, particularly to make it easier for fans to live stream sporting events such as football games and track meets. Board member Tony Leavitt, however, pointed out the stadium is used only a few months a year and encouraged thinking of additional ways to use the stadium and justify the expense. The camera system costs $3,200, in addition to the Kwikom bid.
Robin Griffin-Lohman voted against the proposal. She questioned if the camera technology would be sufficient to obtain a criminal conviction and didn’t think the purchase was justified. Prasko said he believed the cameras would meet the district’s needs in the event of criminal activity.
Last summer, the press box was damaged and a microphone sound board was stolen amid a spate of vandalism. Teenagers were later arrested.
The board also approved another technology request from Prasko with the purchase of three screens and projectors for the commons areas at Iola Elementary School. The projectors were taken out of the bond issue during construction as a cost savings measure, but teachers expressed how useful they would be. The district will spend $21,950 from its capital outlay fund.
Bowlus repairs
Dan Kays, director of the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, told board members about recent repairs at the facility that required him to transfer $20,000 from investment dividends.
The heavy doors to the main lobby have long been a concern, he said, with hinges that no longer meet the resistance requirements. He was concerned patrons could get hurt. At recent events, an usher had to open and close the doors because of those concerns.
Eventually, Kays said, he’d like to replace the solid doors with glass ones so passers-by can see activity inside the building and be more inclined to stop.
The facility also needed repairs to a trench cover that serves as part of the roof drainage system to divert stormwater to the street. Over time, concrete had broken and fallen into the trench.
Kays replaced the hinges and concrete near the doors and over the trench at a cost of $16,862.47. The remaining $3,137.53 would be used to bolster operations.
An investment accounting firm assured him the portfolio could be adjusted to compensate for the withdrawal.
IN OTHER news, the board:
Recognized former board member Don Snavely, who recently died.
