The Atlantic School Board, Wednesday, received an update on District Athletic Facilities construction projects, from liaison Bob Sweeney. Sweeney said work on construction has been slowed due to the recent snowfall and now, bitterly cold temperatures, but for the most part, they are ahead of schedule with grading and dirt work at the Trojan Bowl and Baseball/Softball fields.  About 60% of the retaining wall for the baseball/softball fields is finished. The remainder will be done in the Spring, to adjust for settling and adjustments. Sweeny said also, plumbing and electrical connections have been installed for the concession/restroom building, there was a slight change in the design of the ticket booth and traffic flow into the stadium.

And, the Trojan Bowl scoreboard, field turf colors and keying of locks have all been recent topics of conversation (see a PDF of the current color scheme, here: Trojan Bowl colors 2-2020 ) He said gray colors would be used for markings, instead of solid black, and having white in the end zone. While those construction projects have slowed due to the weather, construction is still slated to begin in June on the High School Tennis, Soccer and Track.  On a related note, Superintendent Steve Barber said the District is very grateful for the Atlantic Community and all the support and resources they provide the school and community.

Barber extended a special thanks to the Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, for their generous donation and $100,000 matching grant challenge with the Trojan Bowl synthetic turf project. The challenge ends March 31st. The funding raising committee has raised nearly half of the $600,000 needed to make up the cost difference between what was bonded for due to the late change from a grass to synthetic field. Barber said “The response received from the community to the fund raising committee has been outstanding. We have a number of businesses and (30-to 40) individuals who have donated to the challenge ($70,000 to date), and Rolling Hills Bank has committed a $50,000 pledge.”

Bob Sweeney added $60,000 has been generated from advertising space on scoreboards within the district.