Pictured is the current playground and open space behind Silver Creek Central Schools where a new multi-purpose turf field and playground would be installed if a capital project is approved by voters.
The District is shooting for the stars with this project — the largest in the school’s history — and it’s able to do so without raising taxes to fund it.
If approved, the project addresses all aspects of the District’s needs, including a renovated auditorium, an upgraded playground, pool updates, redesigned classroom spaces, and new turf athletic fields. The total cost of the project is $36.1 million, but there is no tax increase required to fund the project thanks to a substantial contribution from the District’s well-maintained Capital Reserve fund.
The District has been saving money for several years in its Capital Reserve account with the goal of a substantial project. In this proposal, $5.7 million of the total project cost – 15.8% of the total amount – will be funded by the District’s Capital Reserve. The remaining $30.4 million of the $36.1 million project – 84.2% of the total cost – will be funded by State aid reimbursement. The District will still maintain a substantial amount of reserve funds for a future project down the line.
“It is our responsibility to financially plan for this, and then do all of the right things to make sure that we capitalize on the money we have available to us when we have it available,” said Silver Creek Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston. “The time is now.”
OBSERVER Photos
by Braden Carmen
Pictured is a rendering of the proposed multi-sport athletic field as part of a capital project proposal up for a vote today.
The District narrowed its focus for several months while designing its proposal. The District involved stakeholders in the community, in the school itself, and even the students through surveys and discussions in crafting its plans.
A major area of focus in the project is a major renovation of the auditorium. New seating, flooring updates including aisle lighting, and wall fixtures will be included in the renovation, as well as sound system and acoustics improvements. Ralston said the auditorium was a point of emphasis in surveys to the staff, the student body, and the community.
Features of the new playground include age-appropriate equipment and a design that is compliant with ADA requirements and accessible to all students. A rubberized surface would replace the existing wood chips to protect from injury. The new playground would also feature Silver Creek school colors and branding.
Regarding the multi-sport turf field, which Ralston has called a “super field”, the proposed space would incorporate baseball, softball, and soccer fields in its design. The proposed turf field will not be used for football as the District consistently received feedback that baseball, softball and soccer needed to be prioritized. The District recently installed a new track around its natural grass football field.
The “super field” would be installed in the open area behind the school near the playground, which is often used as a practice space for the football team during the summer. Also included will be new scoreboards and dugouts for baseball and softball, portable fences, backstops and perimeter fencing, and an emphasis on improved accessibility for spectators.
The District will also renovate and update its pool, including a dehumidification system, updated tiles and pool deck improvements. Improvements will also be made to the locker rooms, including increased storage space, as well as new wall mats, lighting, and school branding in the gyms.
Restroom reconstruction, information technology and mechanical system upgrades, loading dock reconstruction and freight elevator improvements will also be addressed through the project. Lighting and rooftop unit upgrades, ceiling replacements, expanded security systems with additional cameras, plumbing updates and ventilator replacements are also included.
The District will also be modernizing classrooms throughout all three buildings to better accommodate group work and problem-based learning. Grant funding will also assist with furniture purchases for the updated spaces.
“This will significantly impact the educational experience for our students. I wholeheartedly believe that. The things within this project will make students excited about what’s happening here, and their voices were part of it,” Ralston said.
Ralston made an effort to inform the community of the District’s plans in various ways. The District welcomed community members for a community conversation regarding the proposal. Ralston also presented the plans at meetings with the Hanover Town Board and the Silver Creek Village Board. She also broke down the project in a series of videos shared on the District’s Facebook page.
Should the project pass, the design phase of the project will begin this upcoming spring. A year from then, in the spring of 2026, the District anticipates approval from the State Education Department. Once approved by the State, the District would begin construction. An anticipated commencement date of construction is targeted for the summer of 2026, with construction set to conclude by the fall of 2027.
The architecture company for the proposed project is CPL: Architecture, Engineering, and Planning. The construction management company is Buffalo Construction Consultants.
“We have the right team,” Ralston said. “… I feel like with the community support, we will see the results of that teamwork. It will be awesome. I’m really excited.”