Peabody board seeks solution to high school bleachers replacement

PEABODY – Replacing the visitors bleachers at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School could cost the city a bit more than earlier projected.Superintendent Milton Burnett announced at Tuesday night’s School Committee meeting that the price range is nearly five times the amount predicted by Athletic Director Phil Sheridan last week. Sheridan estimated moveable bleachers to run about $5,000-$12,000, whereas Burnett suggested a minimum of $23,000.”Vendors have been contacted,” he told the Committee, adding that discussions with both the city’s building inspector, Kevin Goggin, and Fire Chief Steve Pasdon are taking place to ensure safety concerns are addressed.The entire visitor’s section of bleachers along the football field was removed just about three weeks ago after Goggin deemed them “unsafe and dangerous to life and limb.”Sheridan later said that the bleachers weren’t “in bad shape,” they were just old, approximately 60 years old in fact, and no longer met code. Because they were so outdated, the school’s insurance company said that they would no longer cover the bleachers, said Sheridan, and as a result, the city would be liable for any injury that may occur on them.Since their removal, school administrators have been working diligently to come up with a quick solution before the start of football season. In the meantime, however, both Peabody and their opponents will share the same bleachers, including band members, students, and families.”This could be a recipe for disaster,” said School Committee member Ed Nizwantowski.Burnett said he and his staff have considered the possible consequences of sharing bleachers with opponents, and decided to increase security, particularly during night games.Once a replacement option has been chosen, it will go before the School Committee for approval and for the request of capital funds.Burnett said that if the city chooses to purchase transportable bleachers with five rows, the turn around could be rather quick. He estimated having them in place by mid-October. However, if they decide to go with a permanent structure of elevated bleachers, the cost would go beyond the $25,000 and force the city to place the project out for bid. If that’s the case, Burnett said they would most likely not have them before the season comes to an end.