Sumner County’s commissioners have recently given the green light to transfer over $15 million from its reserve fund to the school district, specifically for the purpose of repairing athletic facilities, with a focus on bleacher renovations.
During a meeting held on Monday night, the fate of the spectator stands in Sumner County schools was decided, prompted by an incident where bleachers at Beech High School collapsed in the week leading up to the first football game of the season. Fortunately, the collapse at Beech High School occurred overnight, avoiding any injuries.
Following this event, bleachers at three additional high schools were declared unsafe. As a stopgap measure, temporary seating was swiftly erected.
Residents of Sumner County passionately debated for hours about the widespread issues plaguing the athletic facilities across the county, emphasizing that it’s not a problem confined to a single school, stadium, or track, but rather a matter concerning “one Sumner.”
Beech High School’s quarterback, Kaden Powell, expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation.
“This isn’t what I want sports to be,” said Powell. “I want high school; I want everybody to be there at the games and enjoy Friday nights but we’re not getting to do that without bleachers.”
He pointed out that the lack of adequate seating has resulted in a smaller student section and reduced attendance at games.
Beth Deering, a mother, highlighted the additional challenges, especially regarding the lack of ADA compliance due to these changes at Beech High School.
“Just a few weeks ago at Beech because we don’t have any restrooms other than porter potties, we had to actually load up a veteran and take him to go down to the school to use the restroom and that should never happen,” Deering explained.
Since the incident at Beech, bleachers at Hendersonville, Portland, and White House high schools have also been condemned by engineers.
Deering stressed that the issue extends throughout the county. Another parent, Jay Ingrum, pointed out that unsafe conditions are not limited to the bleachers.
“There’s a couple of tracks one at Gallatin, one at Station Camp that are so dangerous, you can’t even practice on them much less host a meet,” Ingrum noted.
Jay Ingrum, a parent in Sumner County, remarked that the problem affects more than just football.
Sumner County Schools is also initiating a thorough district-wide review to assess the necessary upgrades at all its schools and athletic facilities.
