The latest version of the Cooperstown Central School's $19 million capital project showed a slight decrease in cost from the first plan in December.

Rosanne Groff, representing the architect and engineering firm Bearch Compeau Knudson, presented the new plans last Thursday. A break down in cost showed that taxpayers would be responsible for $6 million instead of $8 million.

Listed as critical issues that CCS needed to address are: building repairs and bus garage improvements, handicap accessibility, traffic control improvements, as well as, additional gym space for the elementary school and the addition of a permanent press box at Lambert field.

"This is not the end of the line, we still have a few more revisions," said board president Keith Additon.

Groff said the new plans included a full size gym to hold 200 people, along with a stage, to be added to the elementary building.

"It's bigger than required for an elementary school," said Groff.

The gym would hold in-school and after school programs, which would help alleviate some of the scheduling conflicts the middle/high school faces.

"That has been an issue for us for a long time," said Additon. "Our current gym space is really inadequate."

The extra gym was originally placed at the high school in plans presented in December. With those plans, they would not be eligible for state aid. However, by placing the gym at the elementary school, CCS would be entitled to a small amount of aid, Groff said.

Listed under critical issues needing to be addressed in an informational packet for the public, is a permanent press box to be placed on Lambert Field. However, since the idea was just presented to planners, the cost or design of the facility was not included in the newest plans.

"We have an obligation to provide fairly comparable facilities during our athletic events," said superintendent Mary Jo McPhail.

Many of the competing districts have press boxes or towers for assistant coaches to videotape and monitor football games. CCS currently does not have one of those facilities.

Included in the school budget for the 2004-2005 school year is $4,000 for an OSHA approved tower to be purchased and erected at the football field. The tower would have to be taken down at the end of each game.

The "press box" listed in the capital project plans would be a permanent facility.

McPhail said she received two sample designs from Bearch Compeau Knudson. One of the enclosed facilities would be attached to the top, middle section of the existing bleachers, costing around $40,000 to $50,000.

The second design, a second story press box with first floor concession stand, would sit behind the bleachers and cost a little over $100,000.

"It's a much more significant structure," said McPhail.

The designs would be presented to the CCS operations and grounds committee for their consideration.

Groff said plans for the press box would be presented at the next capital projects meeting.

Plans called for additions on the bus garage, which will cost $3.3 million. A second option included a free-standing service building for office space and storage, costing $4.25 million.

"We feel we could make it look better, make it look more appealing," said Additon. Questions were raised about whether relocating the bus garage to a less visual area was an option.

"We really don't have another lot of adequate size," Additon responded.

McPhail agreed with the public's concern.

"You're not alone in your view," McPhail said. At one point the board was considering moving the bus garage to a lot off Beaver Meadow Rd. The idea was dismissed because of the cost.

"It would be cost prohibitive on a long term basis because of the cost of fuel and time," said McPhail.

Other issues addressed in the capital project include roof, window and exterior door replacements and other building maintenance; public address, fire alarm and master clock system upgrades; handicap accessibility modifications in each school; science classroom renovations; kitchen and cafeteria upgrades; the replacement of the wooden playground in back of the elementary school; the relocation of the high school main office and the reconfiguration of student and staff parking and bus loop at each school.

At the next school board meeting on April 7, McPhail will present the board with Bearch Compeau Knudson's new capital project plans.

The board may create a committee of community and faculty members to discuss and give their recommendations about the proposed project. The project will then go to the public for a vote.

"We are not anticipating that for a while," said school board president Keith Additon.