Regardless of financial feasibility concerns recently posed by Bastrop Independent School District Board President John Eaton, the district is now moving ahead with plans to construct a new tennis facility for Bastrop High School.
During the Nov. 17 monthly Bastrop ISD board meeting, Eaton was the lone voice in the room expressing opposition to the estimated $1.2 to $1.3 million tennis facility at BHS, instead proposing an alternative plan that BHS utilize the tennis courts at Cedar Creek High School once the construction is completed next fall.
“We have state of the art tennis courts coming on line next August at Cedar Creek High School which is a facility which will be substantially underutilized for several years,” Eaton told fellow trustees. “We have an immediate solution to accommodate all our needs without expending $1.2 to $1.3 million of our fund balance. The question becomes do we want to continue down this avenue and spend this money.”
Eaton said his concerns over the issue have grown during recent interviews with applicants for the yet-to-be filled BISD superintendent position. Many of the applicants expressed the need for building a stronger rainy day fund balance, a goal which, according to Eaton, is inconsistent with constructing new tennis courts.
The board president’s opposition found zero sympathy, however.
Numerous school board trustees adamantly championed the need for new courts, stressing the outdated condition of the Tahitian Village tennis facility where BHS currently plays home matches. Board members also said they did not want to consider the option of bussing the tennis team down Texas 71 to CCHS for practices and matches.
“This is a problem that has not just popped up in the last few months,” said trustee Jim Mills. “I lived down the street from those courts (Tahitian Village) ten years ago and they were in horrible shape then. The best solution is not to take the money out of our fund balance but we have let it go so long I don’t think we have any other choice. It is a safety hazard.”
Board trustee Johnny Sanders was even more direct.
“Lets put it to bed tonight John. This thing is going to happen,” Sanders said.
Trustee James Allen echoed the concerns over the cost, but indicated that new courts for BHS were a necessity.
“Right now we bus the tennis team to a facility that is broken down and embarrassing for our kids to play on,” Allen said. “I agree with you as far as the implications of the budget, but you are not going to send a Bear to an Eagle facility for practice. It’s just not going to happen.”
Board members did not take any action on Eaton’s suggestion to entertain a motion that would cease the planning of the new courts.
Once completed, the facility will consist of eight fully lit courts located on the BHS campus between Hawthorne Street and the soccer field.
On Tuesday, the Bastrop City Council gave approval to the lighting plan for the courts.
Bastrop ISD Director of Operations, Henry Gideon says he expects bidding for the project to begin sometime early next year.