St. Charles East unveils athletics facilities improvements

Last Saturday, families and supporters of the athletics program were treated to an official, first-hand look at the completed improvements at the inaugural Family Fun Fest hosted at the school. The event raised an estimated $35,000 or more, per St. Charles East Athletics Boosters President Bob Stackhouse. The St. Charles East Athletics Boosters has put forth a four-phase plan – valued at a total cost of $800,000 – to supplement the recent improvements and beyond. "It became apparent to us that this is the 40th anniversary of students attending school at this campus, and there were aspects of the athletic facilities that were starting to look tired," Stackhouse said. "We attended school board meetings over the course of about a year to understand their process for what their five-year plan was for improvements," Stackhouse continued. "And, to let them know that the athletic boosters were willing to financially participate in the process." Phase One involves the purchasing of an estimated $100,000 worth in weight lifting equipment and decór, a goal that had already been reached heading into Saturday. Down the middle of the fitness center, a turf strip has been installed for speed and agility work, which will provide the ability for users to pull sleds. Phase Two regards a $200,000 "turf field commitment" that involves maintenance costs and the eventual replacement of the artificial surface, which has an estimated 10-year life span. With the $1.25 million artificial turf, it allows the school flexibility with physical education classes, practices for teams and hosting athletic events in the future. "It's a game-changer, it really is," St. Charles East Athletic Director Mike Sommerfeld said.