Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle
The Chelsea High School football locker room will soon undergo a renovation thanks to a donation from the Chelsea City Council.
The approval came during the July 19 council meeting. The amount was increased from the original $177,620 to $190,000 for cost upgrades and to create an office for the head coach. Funds for the project will come out of the one-cent education sales tax fund.
“The reason we are [adding] the extra money is because budget overruns are common and also we’d like to see them build [Coach Todd Cassity] an office in the locker room. A place for you to go and close the door and to meet with coaches and players one on one.”
Mayor Tony Picklesimer said he didn’t think there had ever been a case when the council was presented with a project from the high school that was not approved.
“What’s different about this one is a couple of moms and dads and a new football coach and principal got together and said let’s see what needs to be done and go present it,” Picklesimer said.
Picklesimer said that the July 12 vote wasn’t the beginning of the council supporting Chelsea High School, they always have and will continue to do so in any and every way they can.
Councilman Casey Morris said for the council to approve the locker room project on the heels of the special election speaks very loudly to the community.
“To see the leadership example we have here less than a week removed from the election, and we’re already partnering with the SCBOE is a strong statement for our community and our leaders,” Morris said. “This is about our citizens and our people.”
Work continues on the turf field and track project at the high school. Athletic Director Michael Stallings said the work should be complete by the beginning of September in time for Chelsea’s first home game on Sept. 2. Work also continues on the press box after water damage along with construction and roof damage caused the building to be deemed not structurally stable in June.
Many of the football players were in attendance at the meeting and Picklesimer told them how proud the council is of them and they look forward to supporting them.
“With a new locker room, new weight room, new playing surface and new stands. What more could a high school player or coach want?” Picklesimer said.
During the mayor’s report, Picklesimer said that since the election is over, it’s time to pull together and execute the wishes of the voters.
“We have committed to doing that and are committed to partner with the Shelby County Board of Education in every way we can to make our schools in Chelsea the absolute best they can be,” he said.
