Wakefield-Marenisco builds press box

By P.J. GLISSON

[email protected]

Wakefield - A new press box is nearing completion on the south side of the athletic field next to Wakefield-Marenisco K-12 School.

"It's looking pretty nice," said Superintendent Jason Gustafson at last week's meeting of the Board of Education. He urged board members to check out the progress.

Gustafson informed the Daily Globe this week that he expects the project to be done before the new school year starts on Aug. 25.

That will be just in time for the school to host home games of the Gogebic Miners football team. Members of the tri-school co-op team played in Bessemer and Ironwood in the past two years of the team's first three-year contract.

"As of now, the Michigan High School Athletic Association has indicated that all fall sports are scheduled to occur this fall," Gustafson said, in relation to possible disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The superintendent reported that the building, which is located behind the home-side bleachers, will be used primarily during the football and track seasons.

"The lower level of the building will be used as a much needed storage garage," said Gustafson. "Track equipment will be the bulk of what gets stored in that space."

He added the top level of the press box will feature three rooms - each with a workstation for broadcasting and scorekeeping.

According to Gustafson, the project is being funded through building and grounds funds. He reminded that "no money from the school's general fund is being used for this project."

At last week's board meeting, board president Brad Dalbec told members that electrical connections for the new structure will be addressed after siding is installed.

Gustafson said the Gogebic Miners sign that is now on the old press box will be transferred to the new one.

"The old press box was deemed unsafe and will be removed in the near future," he concluded.

Angelo Luppino, Inc. of Iron Belt, Wis., is in charge of construction.