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COLUMBIANA -- The Columbiana Athletic Boosters are asking the city to seek grant funding for the football stadium restoration project at Firestone Park.
Booster President Sean Zentner made the request to city council during the Nov. 21 meeting, stating that more money is needed for Phase 1 of the project.
He said he has already spoken with state Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel regarding possible state funding for the project.
In the meantime, he said he would like the city to look into any potential grants that could be used.
A general contractor has been selected for the work, with Santini Builders offering the lowest bid.
Zentner said that the bid was a little higher than anticipated which resulted in "backing out" a couple of the items included in Phase 1, or at least postponing them.
Phase 1 consists of removing the existing stands that were constructed in the 1930s and having them replaced with new stands that will feature both aluminum style bleacher seating and seating with backs.
"We have not raised enough money completely for the reconstruction. We do have a donor that really wanted some of the monies to be going into phase 2 that has given us permission to possibly use for Phase 1 to ensure that we do have enough money to go forward with phase 1. On that note, they would like for us to continue to raise money," Zentner said.
He noted that the Beaver Local School District was awarded $1.5 million from the Ohio Department of Education for its fieldhouse project through American Rescue Funds ESSER Round 3 grants.
"I wanted to talk to you about the possibility of the city working for grants to help our cost. This is a community reconstruction," Zentner said.
Pat Tingle, who has already pledged a $300,000 matching grant, said the project should be looked at as an extension of the overall Harvey S. Firestone Park restoration.
Tingle serves on the Restoration and Beautification Committee that is spearheading that project and she hopes to name the new football stadium in honor of her uncle, Dick Fisher, who graduated from Columbiana in 1938.
"The reputation in the community rests in part on the reputation of the schools. I think there is a different way to look at the stadium than the way you may be looking at it. I consider it an extension of the restoration. Harvey Firestone wanted the athletic facilities to be in Firestone Park and the reason he did was the school was located in such a position you couldn't have a football field or a baseball field. He wanted it there, he wanted it to be a part of the community," she said.
Tingle said the Boosters are currently $300,000 short of the money needed to complete Phase 1.
She would like to see both the city and school district pitch in to the project to the tune of $150,000 each, which would cover the shortfall.
"We have to get through this first phase. We have to get the demolition done," she said.
She went on to say that the Columbiana School District is doing a great job academically and has a good reputation, but that she is somewhat disappointed it hasn't offered to fund more of the project as well.
She hopes to see the football field have greater use in the future, and not only for Clipper football.
"If the city can in any way help us however that may be, we would be most appreciative," she said.
Zentner said demolition of the existing bleachers is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks.
City Manager Lance Willard said he would look into potential grant opportunities.