Upgraded Sports Facilities Coming To Batesville High School

Batesville is the latest area high school to install a multi-use turf field.

A rendering of Batesville High School's future multi-use turf field. Photo provided.

(Batesville, Ind.) – Batesville High School is joining the list of area schools with a multi-use turf field.

The Batesville Community School Corporation school board recently approved the sale of $4 million in bonds for capital improvements to the Batesville High School sports venues.

Work will start with the football field and related areas, which have not seen upgrades for nearly 35 years.

At the conclusion of the football season, replacement of the current football field with a multi-layered turf material will begin. – joining East Central, Lawrenceburg, and South Dearborn who have installed turf fields in recent memory.

Other improvements include major reconfiguration changes inside the stadium locker room and concession area, the addition of a third locker room, improved heating and cooling systems, upgraded coaches’ offices, additional storage, and exterior access to training and laundry rooms.

“The current football field and the adjacent locker room/concessions building are no longer meeting the needs of a growing student body. Our goal is to make improvements in this outdoor athletic area first so that every BHS student is impacted,” said Superintendent Paul Ketcham.

Other near-term outside improvements include a new track surface and field event area upgrades.

All projects are included in the first part of a multi-year, phased approach to a major outdoor sports overhaul.

The improvements will take place without increasing property taxes.

The full project could be completed sometime around 2024. However, Ketcham says the plan is to have the first phase of the project completed before track season next spring.

Much like other schools in the area with a multi-purpose turf field, Ketcham expects several groups to take advantage of the upgrades such as the marching band, soccer teams and physical education classes.

“Fanning Howey has been involved with the Batesville public schools for many years,” lead architect Mike Schipp said. “The Batesville administrative team is always willing to be creative, tweaking ideas and contemplating alternatives, to ensure that the final product is the best result possible. When this entire multi-year project is completed, I’m confident we’ll have an upgraded sports complex that is tailored to reflect Batesville’s unique needs.”

“We’ll continue to roll out these upgrades over the new few years, adjusting as necessary based on the finances available,” Ketcham said. “Our goal is to make our BHS outdoor sports complex an outstanding place to participate in or watch athletics in our community. We’re excited to be able to get this accomplished, all without raising property taxes.”