Capital improvement projects for USC revealed
Nearly 200 people packed the Upper St. Clair High School LGI room Nov. 29 to learn more about potential capital improvement projects planned by the USC School District.
David McLean of McLean Architects presented the projects under consideration and showed how the district is discussing a new multi-use community complex adjacent to the high school stadium, which would include community and meeting spaces, restrooms, a concession stand and ticket booths for stadium events.
The district is also considering an option to house school district administrative offices in the building.
The cost of a two-story community complex is estimated at $2.732 million. Adding administrative offices raises the cost by $2.8 million, bringing the cost estimate for a three-story community complex to $5.532 million.
The second project being considered is a new eight-lane swimming pool, which would replace the current five-lane pool that is original to the high school when it was built in 1961. The new pool would be located in the courtyard area between the school’s arts and athletic wings. Plans call for the elimination of a deteriorating pedestrian bridge and site improvements for a drop off area and parking near the athletic entrance.
The cost estimate for the pool, which includes locker room facilities and seating for approximately 550 spectators, is $5.026 million. Included in the estimate is infill of the deck of the existing pool for repurposing of the space. Additional costs associated with the pool project are demolition of a pedestrian bridge and new parking at a cost of $185,000, and repaving of the high school parking lot at a cost of $420,000.
The final project being considered is the addition of restrooms, a concession stand and an announcers’ booth at Boyce Middle School field. The cost of the Boyce field improvements is estimated at $458,000.
With a 10-percent contingency, the estimated total cost of the planned capital improvements is $12.78 million.
Following McClean’s presentation, Michael Bova of Boenning & Scattergood spoke about the current bond market and hypothetical financing.
USC Finance Director Frosina Cordisco provided information on the impact the capital projects could have on indirect costs on the school district’s budget. She also provided statistics on how many students and groups use the various facilities.
Cordisco compared the cost of renovating the current school district offices at the municipal building and continuing to lease the space from the township versus building the new office space at the community complex.
The potential financial impact of the projects on taxpayers was also presented. Cordisco said the $13 million estimate for the capital projects would equate to $39 per $100,000 of assessed value. The median home value in Upper St. Clair is $230,000, which would equate to a $90 tax increase.
Cordisco said that the district is also looking at other revenue sources to defray costs, including a capital campaign.
Some residents questioned whether traffic flow and student safety had been considered if the administrative offices were to become part of the community complex, stating that the area is very congested in the morning when students are arriving at school.
School Superintendent Patrick O’Toole agreed that this was a concern and a traffic flow study would be needed.
Many of the comments were about the new pool, with swimmers of all ages speaking in favor of it. Several swimmers and parents spoke of air quality problems at the current pool. Some of the swimmers with sports induced asthma requested that if the new pool is not built, work should be done to improve the system at the old pool.
Slides from the presentation are available on the school district website at www.uscsd.k12.pa.us.