Bleacher project a success

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Look all across the state ...even peer at a multi-state region ... and it would be hard to find a group of school activity supporters who have done more for their school and their community than have the Bison Boosters of McCook, Nebraska.

They have done an awesome job ... time after time.

The Bison Boosters' accomplishments come to mind again because of the great support the Boosters have given the McCook Public Schools for the bleacher project at the McCook High School Gymnasium.

The need for new bleachers became apparent when school officials began to realize how out-of-whack the MHS gym's 30-year-old bleachers are. Stacked up against ADA (Americans with Disability Act) standards, the old bleachers come up short in many ways: no hand rails, no handicapped seating, and no side protection, raising the danger of people plunging off the edges.

"We need to do something," school officials agreed, assigning Darin Nichols, the activities director, and Rick Haney, the business manager, with the responsibility of finding a solution.

The wheels were in motion. An action plan was put in place. And, most important of all, the Bison Boosters were alerted of the need for new bleachers.

The school couldn't have asked a better bunch to help.

The Bison backers already had money put away for emergency use, and -- seeing how needed the bleachers were -- the Boosters quickly committed those funds to the cause and began adding more, securing multiple donations, including $3,000 from the McCook National Bank and $10,000 from Deveny Motors. Those gifts pushed the Bison Boosters towards the $50,000 drive goal. All the funds -- even if the goal is exceeded -- will be donated to the school to go towards the bleachers' $103,600 purchase price and the refinishing of the gymnasium floor..

The cost would have been much higher, but the school staff -- with the help of Boosters and other volunteers -- are going to take out the old bleachers, thereby saving the $24,000 that a demolition or recycling company would have charged to get rid of the old seating.

Spearheading Bison Booster activities -- including the all-important bleacher fund drive -- are the 2013-2014 board members: Bob Elder, Darren Esch, Leigh Ann Miller, Denise Ringenberg, Jennifer Morgan, Dan Unger and Tom Wiemers.

They follow in the footsteps of a number of other Bison Booster volunteer leaders through the years, including Pam Klug, who played a key role in the early days of the organization.

Tossing projects around left and right, current members tried to remember some of the Bison Boosters' many accomplishments through the years. In quick order, they came up with the building containing a locker room for visiting teams, plus a concession stand, on the northeast edge of Weiland Field; the new track west of the high school and junior high; the bleachers at the track; the press box at Weiland Field; the weight room at the high school; the shower renovation; the diving board at the YMCA; the storage shed; and the hurdle replacement.

"The Boosters have helped every team; every sport," said Nichols. The Boosters have taken the lead role sometimes; others times they have just helped out, letting the school or other major donors take the lead.

So, when the school installs and unveils the new red-and-black bleachers -- with handrails and aisles to create a safer experience for 1,410 sports fans of all ages -- take a moment or two to reflect upon the importance of school and community spirit, and the essential volunteer role of organizations like the Bison Boosters.

Relying on property taxes, the bleachers at the high school would have been replaced sooner or later, but -- thanks to the Bison Boosters -- the bleachers are being put in place much earlier than they would have been otherwise.

By boosting the Bison, the Bison Boosters are doing more than supporting school sports. Because enthusiasm is contagious, they are uplifting the spirit of an entire community.