Community group raising funds to replace Waynesboro high school track, install synthetic football field

WAYNESBORO, Pa. — A community organization is raising money to replace Waynesboro Area Senior High School’s track and install a synthetic turf football field.

The Waynesboro Area Business, Education and Community Foundation, or WABEC, will soon publicly celebrate a six-figure donation toward its $1.5 million goal.

WABEC plans to honor the group's contribution by naming the scoreboard in its honor.

WABEC Vice President Randall Sellers said high school staff members hear enthusiasm from students looking forward to an updated Indian Stadium, particularly the synthetic turf field.

“If you look around our area, we’re one of the few (schools) that don’t have it (a synthetic field) now. ... It’s one of the things we can do to benefit every kid in the district,” Sellers said.

WABEC hopes construction will occur in the summer of 2015 before the football season begins, he said.

One of WABEC’s primary pushes for donations will be through naming rights. Donors contributing $10,000 to $300,000 to the capital campaign can request to recognize someone or an entity on a plaque or other surface.

Not only does taking advantage of a naming opportunity benefit a good cause, it also can be a good method of promoting a business, Sellers said.

All naming requests are subject to approval by the Waynesboro Area School Board.

MacIntyre Associates of Kennett Square, Pa., did a feasibility study, in which it interviewed 30 people to assess whether $1.5 million was a reasonable goal for WABEC.

The firm previously ran capital campaigns for the Waynesboro Area YMCA and the Robert E. Stum Soccer Complex in Washington Township, Pa.

“We trust their judgment when it comes to Waynesboro,” Sellers said.

WABEC will use Stephen Parks & Associates to design the new facilities and prepare construction documents. The firm, based in Hollidaysburg, Pa., designed the track installed in the late 1980s.

Sellers, who graduated from Waynesboro Area Senior High School in 2003, said WABEC leaders talked to those involved with G-A MAAX, a $2.5 million capital campaign for school facilities in neighboring Greencastle, Pa.

In Greencastle, the campaign is reimbursing the school district for capital improvements already completed, while WABEC plans to have cash in hand before starting any construction work.

WABEC, which is preparing to launch its own website, is seeking volunteers and steering committee members for the campaign.

The foundation is approved within the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program in Pennsylvania. Through that program, eligible businesses can receive tax credits for contributing to certain organizations.

To learn more about becoming involved or making tax-deductible donations, call WABEC Operations Director Rita Sterner-Hine at 717-762-1191, ext. 1801, or Sellers at 717-414-4811.

Jennifer Fitch is a reporter for The Herald-Mail. She can be reached via email at jenniferf@herald-mail.com.