OBSERVER File Photo Pictured is a rendering of Silver Creek’s multi-sport athletic field set to be constructed after the bid was approved at a recent Board of Education meeting.

SILVER CREEK — Silver Creek’s multi-purpose athletic “super field” is one step closer to becoming a reality.

At the latest Silver Creek Board of Education meeting, a contract with Field Turf of Johnson City, for a total amount of $1,176,457.59 was approved. According to Buffalo Construction Consultants, the total cost “falls in line with the overall project budget.”

The multi-sport turf field, which Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston referred to as a “super field”, incorporates baseball, softball, and soccer fields in its design. The turf field will not be used for football as the District consistently received feedback that baseball, softball and soccer needed to be prioritized. The District recently installed a new track around its natural grass football field.

The “super field” will be installed in the open area behind the school near the playground, which is often used as a practice space for the football team during the summer. Also included will be new scoreboards and dugouts for baseball and softball, portable fences, backstops and perimeter fencing, and an emphasis on improved accessibility for spectators.

The multi-purpose athletic facility is one of several major aspects to the district’s 2024 Capital Improvement Project, which is the largest in the school’s history at a total cost of $36.1 million. Also included in the project is a renovated auditorium, an upgraded playground, pool updates, and redesigned classroom spaces.

At the recent meeting, the Board also approved bids for third party testing services pertaining to the project. Stohl Environmental will provide air monitoring for $42,000; CJ Brown will provide commissioning at a cost of $17,200; and Whitestone Associates will provide special inspections at a cost of $65,000.

The architecture company for the project is CPL: Architecture, Engineering, and Planning, while Buffalo Construction Consultants provides construction management services.

An anticipated commencement date of construction is targeted for the summer of 2026, with construction set to conclude by the fall of 2027.

Also at the latest Board of Education meeting, a contract with Debra Lindsey, Education & Executive Coaching, was approved for coaching and consulting services in the amount of $14,400 from Jan. 1 to March 30.

In terms of district personnel, Karen Pennington was appointed as a long-term substitute in place of Alicia Rutkowski-Warecki, retroactive to Jan. 5 through March 30. Aaron Johnson was appointed as Teacher of Record, effective Nov. 24, 2025.

Savannah Delmonte was appointed as a Teacher Aide, while subsequently resigning from the role of Cafeteria Monitor. Ashley Howard resigned from the role of Teacher Aide, while electing to remain with the district as a substitute. Spencer Harford, a former Silver Creek baseball standout, will serve as an assistant coach with the Silver Creek varsity baseball program this spring.

Mason Jones was approved as a student teacher under the direction of Anne Tahamont, Seneca Language Teacher. Alesha Helman was appointed as a substitute Ski Club Advisor for the rest of the 2025-2026 school year; Lily Eager was approved as an extracurricular advisor; and Tyler Januchowski will serve as an Information Technology Intern. The Board also approved a series of Community Education Instructors.

The Board also accepted a series of donations, including $1,000 from the Buffalo Bills to benefit the football program after Sean Helmer was named 2025 Buffalo Region Buffalo Bills & Legends Global Merchandise Coach of the Week. The Michael Boedo Community Foundation also donated $1,500 to sponsor the JCK Foundation visits at the middle and high school level. The district also received six yoga balls from Joanna Green.