1 Why is this project important to our community?
We believe these two enhancements are important for
several reasons:
s
We have an obligation to provide a safe, state of the art facility for
use by our students, coaches, fans, and community.
s These facilities will enable Blacksburg to compete for the opportunity to host athletic events for football and soccer- including VHSL football play off games. This type of event will bring people and business to Blacksburg and support our local economy
s
This facility will be a great addition to the many assets in
Blacksburg and help attract employees to existing businesses and new businesses to our community.
1 Why do we need a field house/locker room?
The locker room/half time facility will provide appropriate on site facilities for both the home team and the visiting team to dress for the game, shower and change after the game, and meet during half time as well as storage area.
This facility is important because:
s Locker rooms at new BMS are not sufficient for use as a locker room for high school athletic teams due to limited dressing space, showers, toilet facilities, and distance from the field of play.
s The proposed facility will also provide a space for Game officials to use as a dressing room.
s Also, the proposed location at the far end of the playing field will provide a separation of players, coaches, and officials from the spectators. The separation will help with crowd control and the safety of players, coaches, and officials.
s Next, storage space for field maintenance equipment and game field items will be included in the construction.
s And finally, during lightning and thunderstorms, safe shelter will be available for competing team members.
In short this facility is important for being a first rate host for athletic events in our town.
1 What are the benefits of artificial turf?
The installation of artificial field turf is a great improvement over a conventional grass surface and provides a high performance and safe playing surface for student athletes. The surface is durable, rugged, and stable. Other benefits are:
s Maintenance costs are low and cost effective.
s Playing surface makes use of recycled material and is aesthetically pleasing
s Inclement weather does not greatly impede athletic participation, performance, and safety.
s Artificial field turf will better accommodate
numerous football teams (8th grade, Junior Varsity, Varsity, Blacksburg Sandlot, Montgomery County Sandlot) and the use of the field 3-4 days per week during some weeks from late August until second week of November.
s And in the spring the field will be used for soccer
(JV Boys and Girls, Varsity Boys and Girls, and the 8th grade boys and girls currently being discussed) up to 4-5 days per week during some weeks from mid-March to late May with heaviest use in April through mid-May.
s Artificial field turf increases the opportunity to conduct practices and play games during inclement weather or resulting from inclement weather.
s A turf field will enhance the opportunities for hosting VHSL District, Regional, and State competitions. Hosting these events would provide increased revenue to both the athletic department and the Athletic Boosters. In addition, such events would create opportunities for local businesses in Blacksburg and Montgomery County.
1 Do any other high schools have artificial turf?
In the past year field turf has been installed at Salem HS for Lacrosse and Soccer and Amherst County HS for soccer and football, Salem City Stadium; EC Glass HS; Heritage-Lynchburg HS, Patrick Henry HS. In addition Roanoke County is installing field turf at each of their high schools, to be done one school at a time. Dwight Bogle Field for Cave Spring and Hidden Valley opened in 2007.
1 Where is the new stadium being built?
The new stadium will be built behind the new Blacksburg Middle school in the center of what will be a 175 acre tract of land owned by the county which includes the middle school and Kipps elementary as well as existing athletic facilities.
This location takes advantage of existing infrastructure and will be a great location for this facility.
1 When will the stadium be ready?
Construction started in August of 2007. The School Board expects the stadium to open in the fall of 2008.
1 How can I support this effort?
Gifts of cash are the most common and often the simplest to make. Checks should be made payable to
"Blacksburg High School Boosters" with a note in the memo section specifying your intent to support the BHS fundraising campaign. Mail to BHS Boosters 520 Patrick Henry Drive Blacksburg VA 24060.
Also see the link 'Ways to Give' for other methods.
1 Is my gift tax deductible?
The BHS Fundraising Campaign is a
"qualified charitable organization" and meets the standards and requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Under this provision, all contributions are deductible for federal income tax purposes (subject to statutory limitations) and for federal estate and gift tax purposes.
Gifts of cash (or your election to deduct only the cost basis of an appreciated asset) may be deducted up to 50 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI) in a year. Gifts of appreciated real or personal property may be deducted up to 30 percent of AGI. Excess deductions may be carried over for up to five (5) additional years.
As always see your tax consultant for advice in your situation.
1 When will construction of the locker room begin?
We plan to have pledges and donations on hand to allow ground breaking in Spring of 2008 so that the locker room will be ready by Fall. We need your pledge today to help make that happen.
