York School District idea for agricultural arena would offer countywide benefits
There’s growing interest in a new arena where high school students can compete. One that would create a home venue for students from across York County.
The York School District owns property that could house a new agriculture arena. Students in school programs, along with 4H and FFA groups, would be able to use the site rather than traveling to Chester County or beyond. It could host pig, calf and other livestock shows.
Agriculture groups have active membership in the area, but not a venue to support competitions and events.
“Basically, there’s nowhere in York County for students to participate in 4H, things like that,” superintendent Kelly Coxe said Wednesday afternoon. “This is something that we’ve known we have needed for a long time.”
The school board heard possible plans in February, and unanimously voted to support a new venue. On Tuesday night the board heard an update on plans. A nonprofit district foundation board could vote next month to help fund the project.
Coxe estimated the site would cost up to $1.2 million. The York district won’t pay for the arena. There’s a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to cover $500,000. The rest would involve fundraising, which could include support from the district’s education foundation.
The district is a main partner, though, in provision of the property where an arena would go. The district owns about 100 acres across from Hickory Grove-Sharon Elementary School. Coxe said there could interest in a more centralized York County location, but the availability of such a large piece of property can significantly help move the project forward there.
Possible partners involve the Clover School District, and groups like FFA and 4H.
“We’re looking to bring folks together,” Coxe said.
The new site would have bleachers for competitions and events. One end of the arena likely would be enclosed to allow classroom, office and meeting room space along with restrooms and concessions. The arena could be modeled after something similar in Anderson School District 3.
York schools would have access to the property for its own instruction, but distance from the high school — where many agricultural programs serve students — means it would be sporadic.
“There would be times when we would go and do on-site instruction, but it wouldn’t be a regular model,” Coxe said.
There isn’t a timeline yet for when construction might start or a new arena open. The district foundation board meeting May 17 could bring the project better into focus, since that group would be critical to fundraising efforts.
