The Madison County School Board is taking steps to turn the dream of a new fieldhouse into reality.
Board members have authorized superintendent Dr. Anna Graham and staff to seek grants and donations to fund a new athletic field house at Madison County High School. According to the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan released in 2018, the current 4,656 sq. ft. fieldhouse was constructed in 1974 with a 2,640 sq. ft. wrestling building added in the 1990s. At the time of the report, it was recommended that a design development phase be pursued to replace the structures beginning in 2023-2024. In 2023, grant funding was used to renovate a space in the central office into a fitness center.
The field house replacement is estimated to cost $5.5 million and would consist of a 110 feet by 100 feet building located behind the high school between the back parking lot and baseball field. The conceptual design includes a wrestling room, team room, lockers, restrooms, storage, offices and a weight room. Both the design and location are preliminary. The authorization to pursue funding, which was approved unanimously, does not authorize construction of the facility or commit the school board to spending any money on the project. In fact, school board member Sue Wood said the project is not something that will come from the school board’s budget.
At the recent MCHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony, school board member Graham Davidson said the fieldhouse represents a bold vision.
“I believe we should be boldly thinking about the future of our county’s athletics,” he said. “Projects like this are possible when we work toward one vision with one purpose as one body.”
Some donations have already been received. In May, local realtor Bear Davidson donated $10,000 to fund the rendering and initial plans of the fieldhouse. Recently, residents Tyler and Kate Sgro donated $30,000 for weight room equipment.
“This [project] is a picture of what this community can accomplish together,” Graham Davidson said.
