Allen ISD Allocates $2M To Kick Start Stadium Repairs

ALLEN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) -- Eager to start the repairs on the $60 million Eagle Stadium, the Allen ISD school board Monday night voted to kick start the work.

The board voted to give the district superintendent the authority to use $2 million in existing bond funds to help construction get underway within the next two weeks. The board also voted to give the superintendent the authority to enter into a contract for the repairs with the contractor.

Superintendent Lance Hindt referred to the money as a "security blanket" he hopes not to have to use. Hindt said both Pogue Construction and PBK Architects will reimburse the district for any money spent on repairs.

Eagle Stadium was closed down earlier this year after cracks and structural damage were discovered.

Once a source of pride for the Allen school district, many students say the stadium has become a punch-line.

"They are laughing at us now," said Allen High School senior Brady Gilliland. "We hype it up so much and then for it to break -- it's kind of disappointing."

Allen ISD hopes to have the repairs complete in time for graduation next spring, which is why the superintendent said the district wanted work to begin immediately -- even if it means fronting some of the costs.

As a parent and taxpayer in the district, Arif Hussian doesn't like the idea of the school spending another dime on the stadium, even if that money is eventually reimbursed.

"Why does the school have to front them the money and get the money back later?" he questioned. "That to me doesn't sound like a very sound fiscal use of public funds. It doesn't sound right to me."

The Allen Eagles, who are vying for a third straight state title, will play their 2014 home games at neighboring Plano schools.

(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Latest News:

Top Trending: