City College’s plans to build a much-needed new press box at La Playa Stadium have taken a turn for the worse because costs are much higher than they were initially expected to be.
The original plans consisted of a 490-square-foot press box and two 445-square-foot conference rooms that would have ocean views. The project was originally supposed to cost $500,000, but recent estimates are now around $1.36 million.
“The cost of the new press box is now much more then we originally intended,” said Joe Sullivan, vice president of business services at City College. “The project is not state-funded so we need to get the money from outside sources such as donations.”
Sullivan and City College are currently looking at alternatives.
One idea that is being considered is having a portable press box built at an outside location, then bringing it into the stadium and putting it where the original one was supposed to go.
A portable press box may be a way for La Playa Stadium to get the desired effect at a much more reasonable price.
“We are basically back to stage one,” said Sullivan. “A modular press box it not what we intended, but it still gives us options.”
Another issue that is very important when building is to make sure that the facility meets the design standards approved by the American Disabilities Act. Any building constructed in a public area must meet ADA guidelines.
The press box that now sits at La Playa Stadium is almost 50 years old and its appearance does not lie. The wood is peeling and the building is covered with rust. The facilities deparment has not deemed the structure hazardous as of yet.