Volunteers to build new concession stand

By Jaime Thomas

Football spectators and announcers in Granville will soon see a new concession stand at their field.

On Monday night the board of education approved a planned donation by three local contractors to tear down and rebuild the current press box and concession stand.

Contractors Shawn Parker, Parrish Roberts and Daryl Daigle plan to head a community project to create a structure that is very similar to the one that stands.

“It’ll be the same sized building reconfigured a bit with more of an overhang. There will be a storage room in the back, and the doors will be facing the field so the people selling concessions can still watch the game,” Parker said.

The donation had to be approved by the board before Cathy Somich, district business manager, could send in the plans for approval from the state department of education. She expected there to be a quick turnaround on the stamp of approval for the plans.

Parker stressed that all of the work and materials will be provided at zero cost for the school district, though the estimated value of the project is $68,350.

“It’s all no money, it’s all donations and it’s all our time,” Parker said of the contractors and other volunteers. He said nothing that stands will be reused; everything down to the broken concrete floor will be completely removed.

“We want to do it the right way, and that’s the way to do it,” he said. Though the installation of plumbing will be a whole other matter of state approval, the contractors plan to “rough in” for a sink and water hook up, so there can be running water down the line.

Parker said the replacement of the concession stand came about because current one is old, falling apart and generally in need of an update.

Though members of the school board commended the contractors on their generosity, they also had some questions about the liability and timing of the project. John McDermott pointed out that the district accepts donations sometimes only to front the cost of repair and maintenance later on.

Other board members questioned whether they would be liable for an accident on site, and whether the project would become drawn out for a long time.

Parker said the school would be liable for nothing, as he and the two other contractors will submit their own insurance information and will take full responsibility.

After the men left, the board discussed their concerns before approving the project. School Board President John Shaw said he and other officials had quizzed the contractors repeatedly on all potential issues.

“You heard them—they said they’ve got all their bases covered, and all we can do is take them at their word,” Shaw said.

Superintendent Mark Bessen agreed, pointing out that all three men have junior high-aged children.

“Their pride is on the line too; I think they’ll do a good job,” he said.

Pending state approval, Parker said the men hope to complete the new building before football season begins. If they are unable to start with enough time to finish, they will wait to begin the project later in the fall.