Voters in the North Syracuse Central School District overwhelmingly approved a $2 million referendum to make repairs to the Michael J. Bragman Athletic Complex at Cicero-North Syracuse High School, as well as security upgrades at the same building.
A total of 1,650 votes were cast, with 1,331 votes in favor of the referendum and 319 against. The project, which will have no local tax impact, will cost a total of $2,020,000. The local share of $302,000 will come out of the district’s C-NS Athletic Complex Reserve Fund, which was approved by district voters on Oct. 14, 1998, according to Assistant Superintendent for Management Donald Keegan. The reserve was funded by an exclusive vending contract with Coca-Cola and can only be used for the purpose of replacing or repairing the turf field.
Superintendent Annette Speach said the district was grateful for the foresight of previous administrations.
“We are just thankful that when the current turf and track were installed 14 years ago, a fund was set up in anticipation of their eventual replacement,” Speach said. “We couldn’t have moved forward with this project otherwise.”
With interest, the fund has grown over the last 15 years to $304,000. That fund, along with anticipated state aid totaling $1,718,000, will cover the costs of the project. The project includes necessary repairs to the athletic complex next to the high school, including replacing the deteriorating turf, resurfacing the track and replacing the drainage work under the field.
The project will also include security upgrades at C-NS High School that will allow doors to be locked from the inside with any school-issued key, but only be unlocked by those with authorized access to the space. The upgrades will better ensure the safety of the school’s staff
According to the district’s projected calendar, construction should begin next spring and be completed by December of 2014.
For details about the stadium project, visit the district’s referendum website at nscsd.org/fall13vote.
