Avery Trace Middle Softball Field Bid Accepted

The Putnam County School Board approved a bid of some $1.3 million for the construction of a softball field at Avery Trace Middle School.

Avery Trace Middle School Principal Alma Anderson said the system had rejected several bids before eventually selecting this one. She said price and ability to meet specifications were the main issues with the previous bids. She said getting a softball field on campus will bring enormous benefits to the school.

“Of course, we have to meet all of the regulations that go with the sports teams and those kinds of things,” Anderson said. “And I just envision the girls being able to walk across the lawn, you know, to go to softball practice instead of having to drive to another location.”

Anderson said the team has been driving to Jere Whitson’s softball field every day for practices and games. She said she hopes to have a field being built by the fall to have it ready for the spring season.

“It’s time to make sure that all students have equal access to what sports they want to play,” Anderson said. “It just feels like we’re ready to do it, and it’s been budgeted, and we’re ready to go.”

She said keeping girls from being driven across town every day makes the arrangement safer as well. She said during the school day, physical education classes could utilize the new field, another bonus.

The School Board approved the bid Thursday from King Construction.