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PREPARING FOR OUR FUTURE
AND PRESERVING OUR PAST
PROPOSAL FOR CONSTRUCTING A
MULTIPURPOSE ATHLETIC FACILITY
ON THE SITE OF
THE MAPLE AVENUE SCHOOL /
CHESTER HIGH SCHOOL
Chester Union Free School District
Presenters
Denis PetrilakSuperintendent of Schools
Chester Union Free School District
Michael McGovernLAN Associates
Overview
• The Chester School District is proposing to replace the
Maple Avenue School (old Chester High School) with a
multisport athletics facility.
• The approximate cost of the project is $7.9 million.
Background
• Chester High School has three sections:
1 - the original school was built in 1935-1936
2 - an extension was added onto that building in 1965
3 - a gymnasium was also added in 1965.
• The original 1935 school and 1965 addition are presently
empty and unused.
• The gymnasium is open and is used year-round for
interscholastic sports and community events.
Background
• From 2004 – 2019 the Chester School District leased Chester
High School to Orange-Ulster BOCES.
• In 2019 OU BOCES unilaterally and prematurely terminated
the lease and vacated Chester High School.
• Reasons cited for lease termination included the
deteriorating condition of Chester High School.
Background• A 2016 Building Condition Survey (BCS) conducted by
licensed independent architects reported that the total
dollar amount of necessary repairs and replacements for
Chester High School was $3,279,000.
• Adjusted for 2020, that amount exceeds $4 million to bring
Chester High School up to standards.
• The Chester School District does not need additional
instructional space. Chester’s schools are at approximately
50% of student capacity.
Background• Chester High School plays an important role in the history of
the Chester community.
• Respecting this history and the significance of the building
to the community is an important consideration for the
Board of Education.
• The design of the facility will incorporate and reproduce
historical elements from Chester High School.
• This proposal has received the approval of the
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic
Preservation.
Options Studied
• In 2016 the Chester Board of Education began a study of
future options for Chester High School.
Options Studied1. Make Necessary Repairs and Replacements to Chester
High School.
2. Do Not Make Repairs or Replacements and “Mothball”
Chester High School.
3. Sell Chester High School to an Interested Buyer.
4. Lease Chester High School to an Interested Party.
5. Repurpose the Property for School District Use.
Option 1
Make Necessary Repairs and Replacements to
Chester High School for District Use
• This option was deemed not feasible.
• Repairs to Chester High School are estimated to be at least $4
million.
• There is no need for additional instructional space.
• Chester Elementary School is currently at 47% of its capacity.
• Chester Academy is currently at 55% of its capacity.
• There is a declining enrollment pattern in the District and in the
region.
Option 2
Do Not Make Repairs or Replacements and
“Mothball” Chester High School
• This option was considered possibly feasible, but undesirable.
• There would be ongoing costs associated with maintaining the
building.
• The building would continue to deteriorate and would present
a safety hazard and liability for the district.
• The continuing deterioration of the building would become an
eyesore and blight on the community.
Option 3
Sell Chester High School to an Interested Buyer
• This option was considered possibly feasible, but
undesirable.
• Sale of Chester High School is problematic due to the
necessity of the District to retain the entire athletics
complex and its access to it.
• The Chester High School property contains an athletics
complex that includes playing fields and a gymnasium that
are critical by the District’s athletics programs.
• The District’s lack of control over future uses of the property
may negatively impact the District’s use of its athletics
facilities located there.
Option 4
Lease Chester High School to an Interested Party.
• This option was considered possibly feasible, but
undesirable.
• This option has all concerns raised with a potential sale of
Chester High School (see Option 3).
• Leasing Chester High School would require necessary and
ongoing repairs and replacements.
• Leasing Chester High School would require securing and
maintaining responsible lessors.
Option 5
Replace Chester High School with a multipurpose
athletics facility.
• This option is considered the most viable for the current and
future needs of the District.
• This option would alleviate the shortage of athletics facilities
in the district.
• The design of a proposed multipurpose athletics facility
would incorporate architectural and historical features of
Chester High School in its construction to honor the past of
Chester High School.
Option 5
Replace Chester High School with a multipurpose
athletics facility.
• A multipurpose athletic field on the Chester High School
site:
• would provide an attractive and modern facility in a
highly visible and trafficked position in the center of the
Village of Chester.
• would complement the current athletics complex
which was renovated in 2018.
• would preserve the history of Chester High School
Conclusion• The Chester Board of Education has determined that it is in
the best interests of the School District to replace Chester
High School with a multipurpose athletics facility.
• A multipurpose athletic field on the site of the Maple
Avenue School would meet the current and future needs of
the school district for additional athletic facilities.
Conclusion• The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic
Preservation has reviewed the District’s review of options and has
stated:
“Based upon our review we concur with your
determination that there are no prudent and
feasible alternatives to the demolition of this
National Register eligible property.”
Conclusion• A multipurpose athletic field on the site of the Maple
Avenue School is a cost effective solution for the use of the
Chester High School property in a manner that provides for
the students of the school district and members of the
community.
• By incorporating historical elements of the Maple Avenue
School into the design of a multipurpose athletic facility this
project preserves the past history of the school and helps to
prepare the children of the community for their future.
Wa
lnu
t
Str
ee
t
Total Lot Size: 11.02 Acres
Chester High School(1935)
2-Story Building
40,000 SF
Link (1968):
2-Story Building
23,500 SF
Total: 63,500 SF
West Parking Lot: 43 SpacesEast Parking Lot: 21 SpacesCarpenter Field: 67 SpacesStreet Parking on Walnut: 48 SpacesStreet Parking on Vadala: 15 SpacesStreet Parking on Route 94: 66 Spaces
Total Parking: 260 Spaces
Area of Disturbance: 3.85 acres
Maple Avenue Multisport
Athletic Field FacilityField
Highly durable artificial playing surface
Can be used year-round, no required downtime
Sports: Football, Soccer, Lacrosse, Cross Training, other
Permanent markings (lines & school logo)
Lighting – can be used for night practice / games (up to 9 pm).
Chain link fencing
Maple Avenue Multisport
Athletic Field FacilityFieldhouse
1,000 seat bleachers
(ADA compliant)
Press Box
Public Address System
Reproduces Front Facade of
Chester High School
Original and reproduced CHS
architectural elements (cupola,
clock, etc.)
CHS History Display Cases
Open Area “Greenspace”
Restrooms (ADA Compliant)*
Concessions Stand (with
plumbing)*
Athletic Equipment Storage*
Janitor Storage*
Parking*
* Can be used for baseball / softball seasons
Time Frame
Time Action
October 2019 – February 2020 Public Presentations
February 2020 Public Referendum
Fall 2021 Field Opens for Use
2020
Milestone Schedule
Feb. 25 2020
Bond Vote
2021
March July
June 2020
Submit to
NYSED for
Expedited
Review
Design: 4 months NYSED Backlog: 4
months
Nov. 2020
NYSED Issues
Building Permit
Construction: 5-8 months
Bid/Award: 1.5
months
Complete
Project
Fall 2021
Jan. 2021
Construction
Starts
June Nov.Feb. Dec
.Jan. Sept.February
Cost of Project
The estimated cost of the project
is $7.9 million.
The estimated annual cost to the average
Chester UFSD homeowner is $189 / year.
Cost Breakdown
Demolition $1.1 million
Installation of 8-10 year
artificial playing surface
$2.1 million
Construction of Grandstand
and Field House
$4.7 million
Total $7.9 million
PUBLIC REFERENDUM
FEBRUARY 25, 2020
VOTING AT
CHESTER ACADEMY
6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
For information about voter registration
please visit the district website at
chesterufsd.org
Voter InformationAbsentee ballots will be available 9 am – 4 pm from District Clerk.
Absentee ballots must be received
between January 26 – February 25 (5 pm).
In person registration will be on
Wednesday, February 12th from 4 pm – 9 pm.
For more information about voter registration
please visit the district website at chesterufsd.org
Additional Public Presentations
Date Meeting Location Time
January 8, 2020Chester Board of Education
MeetingChester Academy 7:00 p.m.
January 13, 2020Chester Village Board Meeting
Village Hall Main Street 7:00 p.m.
January 14, 2020Chester Elementary School
Concert
Chester Elementary School
(No presentation - plans
available for viewing only.)
7:00 p.m.
January 21, 2020Chester Academy
PTSA Meeting
Chester Academy7:00 p.m.
February 6, 2020Chester Elementary School
PTA Meeting
Chester Elementary School 7:00 p.m.
February 12, 2020Chester Board of Education
MeetingChester Academy 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC REFERENDUM
FEBRUARY 25, 2020
VOTING AT
CHESTER ACADEMY
6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
For information about voter registration
please visit the district website at
chesterufsd.org
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