Clay Co., Kan. — During Monday’s Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Brett Nelson discussed an update on the fundraising for the new football stadium planned for the field just east of the school.

The price of the project has increased but Nelson said the district won’t make up the difference and will continue with its contribution of $750,000.

The current football field, Otto Unruh Stadium, would be sold to help pay for a portion of the project. The minimum amount expected is $300,000. When asked if the project would move forward without the sale, Nelson said yes but only if the funds are raised through private donations.

However, the funds wouldn’t be put towards the project unless the private committee, who is raising the remaining funding, was able to reach the goal of $1.8 million with the $750,000 from the board and the money acquired from the stadium if sold.

Jeffery Cannizzo added that he would like to see something in writing saying bleachers can be put on the east side of the stadium with the road being so close to where the bleachers will be located.

The plan is to break ground in May of 2023 with a grand opening by the beginning of the next school year but the timeline is contingent on the privately raised funds so the groundbreaking wouldn’t begin unless those funds are raised.

Jonathan Lang covers state and local news for KFRM and KCLY. You can follow the KCLY or KFRM Facebook page for more stories.

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