Midland Park October 26, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Upgrades to Midland Park High School’s gymnasium are nearly complete after more than four years of planning and hard work. All work is expected to be finished by year’s end, if all goes according to schedule, said School Business Administrator Stacy Garvey. The board of education last week approved the expenditure of $25,000 to replace all the light fixtures in the 54year-old building. The work will be done in-house, Garvey said, making the project less expensive than if it had been contracted out. Garvey explained that the poor lighting in the gym had been a concern to the board for several years. “All the groups that use the gym have been complaining that it’s tough to see and hazardous because of the dead spots,” Garvey said. The new fixtures will be 150w high efficiency, with a foot candle output much stronger than is presently the case, which Garvey said should result in a much lower electric bill for the improved lighting. She said the fixtures have been ordered and will be installed by the maintenance staff over the holiday break. High school gym to get new lights, padding “We were hopeful for the funding to replace the lighting in Phase Two, but are thankful that the district and the board of education kept it on their agenda to be completed this year,” said former MPHS Boosters Association President Marty Costello, who had spearheaded the renovation project. The Boosters provided funding and volunteer labor for gym improvements in two phases. Under the first phase, completed in 2007, the green stripe around the gym was repainted and new graphics were added depicting the new panther logo. The words “Midland Park Panther Pride” were added across the far wall of the gym. Phase II, completed during the holiday week last year following the Christmas Day blizzard, included repainting the entire gym and replacing the championship banners with a new, contemporary banners that recognize the achievements of the MPHS teams and student-athletes. The Boosters are now deep into Phase III: replacement of the gym’s wall padding. This represents an investment of $6,500 to $7,000 for the organization, according to current President John Mulligan. Mulligan said his group is in the process of securing proposals from vendors in that industry, and looks to place an order within the next week for installation by Thanksgiving, on or about the start of the basketball season. “Dr. Cirasella (school superintendent) and Mr. Capuano (high school principal) asked us to fund the wall padding replacement, and the Boosters accepted this challenge,” Mulligan said. To meet the challenge, the Boosters’ president said, the organization is planning a number of fundraising activities over the next several months and asked that residents support the effort. On Election Day, Nov. 8, a fundraising event will be held at Rosario’s Restaurant in Wortendyke, and the annual Beefsteak Dinner is scheduled for Saturday Jan. 28 at the firehouse. The organization is also selling Panther Snuggies (blankets with sleeves). Mulligan said that the Boosters is always looking to increase its membership ($25 family, $15 individual, $10 faculty and coaches) and welcomes local corporate sponsorships. “This would complete the project,” said Mulligan. “The only other upgrade would be to replace the old panther on the half court floor with the new. This work would be done next time the varnish is scheduled to be stripped and re varnished,” he said. Roof leak plagues MPHS The Midland Park Board of Education last week authorized Business Administrator Stacy Garvey to have roof leaks at Midland Park High School repaired on an emergency basis. Board member James Canellas told the board that the roof in the front area of the school above office space between the gymnasium and the cafeteria had developed leaks that would have to be fixed right away. The area, now used as a copy room but previously used as a student store, has been cordoned off and declared off limits, he said. No classrooms are affected. “The aroma has permeated the building, and in the opinion of the architect and the engineer, it has to be repaired,” Canellas said. The cost estimate is $3,000-$5,000, he said. Garvey said she is securing quotes before awarding the contract, which she is permitted to do subject to formal board ratification at a future meeting. Garvey said the work would be done during days off for Teachers’ Convention, Nov. 10 and 11.