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