Seymour Middle School plans to upgrade its outdoor bleachers in an effort to improve its athletic facilities and support a new soccer program.

In January, Principal Daniel Mendez requested permission from the Seymour Community School Corp. board of education to seek quotes for the project.

He estimated the new bleachers would cost around $125,000 and another $40,000 to $50,000 for the addition of a press box.

The original bleachers were deemed unsafe and not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The project is being funded with money left over from a bond issue in 2019 that paid for the resurfacing of the school’s track.

Mendez reported there is $190,000 available from the bond.

The new ADA-compliant bleachers and a 24-by-8-foot press box will support the school’s track and football programs, allowing the school to host larger events.

“We would like to have an outdoor complex that could seat 1,000 people,” Mendez said.

The project also would serve the school’s future soccer program, which is scheduled to start in the fall, and the Seymour Area Youth Football League.

“We need to have bleachers that have adequate seating and height to view athletic events,” Mendez said.

It also gives the school the opportunity to conduct outdoor student assemblies and community events.

“We believe that this will enhance our athletic program and school and community pride,” he said.

A total of three quotes were submitted for the project. They were $247,360 from Dant Clayton Corp. of Louisville, Kentucky, $206,075 from Southern Bleacher Co. of Graham, Texas, and $268,788 from Toadvine Enterprises of Fisherville, Kentucky.

Last month, the board awarded the project to Southern Bleacher Co. to build and install the 15-row, 120-foot-long bleachers, which will have handrails, 10 wheelchair spaces, a wheelchair ramp and a press box.

Since the amounts are over what money was available from the bond, the difference will be covered by capital project funds, said corporation Business Manager Steve Nauman.

He wasn’t sure when the bleachers would be installed.

“It depends on the materials and when we can coordinate the site work,” he said.