The Altoona Area School Board tabled a decision Monday to hire an architect for a potential Mansion Park project.

The board planned to vote on hiring Stephen Parks and Associates of Hollidaysburg to provide design and construction oversight in replacing Mansion Park’s track and artificial turf. However, Board Member Eric Haugh reported that the district’s five-year plan prioritizes bleacher improvements over turf work.

Haugh said the five-year plan is vague, so he and other facilities committee members will explore it further at their Nov. 19 meeting to see how it may impact which capital projects to prioritize. The board will revisit the vote at its December meeting.

The school district currently has about $8 million in capital reserve funds that legally can only be used for capital projects. At a special voting meeting Nov. 5, the board discussed whether or not to use these funds to replace the track and turf.

AASD Athletic Director Phil Riccio spoke at the meeting and said the turf is becoming unsafe.

“The surface is down so low we’re going to start getting severe injuries on it,” he said. “We’ve already seen more leg injuries.”

He said the lifespan of a turf is eight to 10 years, with Mansion Park’s having been replaced in 2009. Riccio said the track, replaced in 2006, is now damaged in spots. Track resurfacing is usually done eight to 12 years after it’s installed, he said. He suggested both projects be done simultaneously so contractors are there at one time.

Board Member Ron Johnston said after the cost of the new high school, taxpayers are concerned about the district’s spending on a new project. He suggested a fundraising effort involving former alumni to split the cost.

Riccio said he reached potential sponsors but they regarded Mansion Park as “sacred” and didn’t want sponsorships there.

Mirror Staff Writer Dom Cuzzolina is at 814-946-7428.