BRIDGETON — Fundraising efforts of the Bridgeton High School Foundation will now benefit the construction of a brand new stadium, track and field. Based on a number of economic factors, the foundation recently made the decision to build a new stadium rather than restore the existing structure. The project could be ready to go out for bid as early as April.

In 2005, a group of community leaders formed the Bridgeton High School Foundation for the sole purpose of raising funds to restore the Jim Hursey Memorial Stadium. The organization has since generated $4 million in donations, grants and loans to be put toward a three-phase project that would include a renovated stadium and a new track, playing field, locker rooms and field house. Contributions include a $1 million forgivable loan from the Cumberland County Improvement Authority, a $1 million private donation from local businessman Bob Thompson and $1.4 million in eligible matching Green Acres Grants from the State of New Jersey. However, due to recent economic realities and the time sensitive nature of a number of the funding sources, the Foundation has been forced to reassess its original goal.

“Our first priority has always been the restoration of the existing stadium to preserve its historical significance,” said Carl Kirstein, chairman of the Foundation. “But after reviewing our present financial situation and exploring every option available to us, the Foundation Committee felt that demolishing the existing stadium and building a new stadium would make the best use of the funding.”

One of the chief concerns is the cost of restoring the stadium versus building a new stadium. When the Foundation began the process in 2005, original estimates put the cost of renovations at approximately $1.6 million. However, after two engineering firms reassessed the facility in the fall of 2009, the projected cost had grown to $2.7 million. This increase was due to the discovery of major structural damage in addition to the extensive work that would be required to meet proper safety standards. Additionally, this figure did not include the cost for a new press box, lighting, updated electrical work or the projected $200,000 to be spent every 5 to 7 years on regular maintenance to keep the restoration intact. The restored stadium would not include locker rooms either, necessitating the construction of a separate field house.

Another issue is that the project’s local, state and federal grants will expire in 2010 if they are not put to use. There are also limitations to how the funds can be spent. For example, the Green Acres Grants, which represent over half of the funding, can only be dedicated to specific areas such as the track and field. On top of these issues, the current economic downturn also makes this a great time to receive lower bids on construction projects.

“A number of factors came together that forced us to amend our game plan and act quickly,” said School Board President Angelia Edwards. “We were suddenly presented with circumstances that would allow us to start the project immediately and take better advantage of the funding we had already achieved.”

The original three-phase plan has been revised into a two-part project. The first half is to tear down and rebuild the stadium. For approximately $2.5 million, the new stadium will include home and visitor locker rooms, a press box, lighting and restrooms. The construction of a new structure will also alleviate the future burden on the School District to pay for the major upkeep of the facility. The architect working on the project will incorporate a brick facade to resemble the existing structure and replicate its original design. The original lettering and plaques will also be reused, and the stadium will retain its name as the Jim Hursey Memorial Stadium. The Green Acres grants will be used to pay for a new artificial playing field, an all purpose track, restrooms and bleachers. Plans for the originally proposed field house and community center have been put on hold.