Clarksville Considers Field House Replacement

by Janice Penix

The Clarksville School District is assessing the future of its 40-plus year old field house after severe weather caused significant damage to the structure, members of the School Board were told during their monthly meeting Monday, Aug. 26.

The field house, a block structure which has most recently been used for junior high football, high school baseball and visiting football teams, had its roof blown off during a severe storm on Sunday, Aug. 18.

Steven Wyatt, assistant superintendent, said the roof was blown onto the track area of Metheny Field and the interior of the field house received significant water damage from the rain. Other nearby structures were also damaged by the strong winds, including the roofs of the baseball dugouts, metal siding on the gymnasium and protective netting and metal poles at the baseball field. However, he said the worst damage was inflicted on the field house.

“The field house took the brunt of it,” Wyatt said. “There was probably only a half-inch sheet of plywood used for decking and the storm really did a number on that roof.”

Superintendent David Hopkins said the insurance company is currently assessing the damage, and Wyatt said the district had received quotes for both the damaged drywall in the field house and the dugout shingles.

“The roof is going to be a total replacement,” Hopkins said. “Over the years, the piping underneath has rotted and collapsed, so we are trying to figure the cost to bring it back up to code. But what we think will be better is to just get rid of that building, plus the concession stand and restrooms, and replace it with something new.

“There was a lot of equipment in the field house and people using it have had to be relocated, so it’s really messing up the flow of things right now. It’s not going to just be a simple fix. I am afraid we will just be throwing money out if we try to fix that building.”

The district also had various limbs and trees down, which had to be removed, as a result of the storm. Wyatt and his physical plant staff, along with other district staffers, were commended for their quick response to the cleanup which allowed school to be held the morning after the storm without delay.

Critical Shortage Incentives

The Board approved a proposal from Hopkins to change incentives for teachers and paraprofessionals in critical shortage areas…

To read the rest of the story, see the Sept. 4, 2024 issue of The Graphic, found online and in businesses throughout Johnson County. 

The old field house at Clarksville’s Metheny Field sustained significant roof damage during the severe storms on Aug. 18. The district is looking at options to repair or replace the structure.

–Photo courtesy Clarksville School District