Monomoy Press Box Gets Select Board Support

HARWICH – The select board has endorsed the construction of a press box at the Monomoy Regional High School stadium.

The next step in the project is obtaining the funds to construct the facility. The project is being put forward by the school’s All Sports Booster Club, which is seeking $100,000 in Community Preservation funds each from Harwich and Chatham.

Project proponents made a presentation to the select board on Jan. 16. Town Administrator Joseph Powers said the board has jurisdiction over the school property, and the town’s community preservation committee (CPC) wants to know if the board supports the use of town property for the project.

Powers said the town has partnered with Monomoy Regional School District and other organizations in the past, such as for the Harwich Community Playground located at Harwich Elementary School.

“I would recommend the project go forward with clarification that the town is aware of the project taking place on town land,” he said.

MRSD athletic director Karen Guillemette said every other high school on the Cape has a press box. Two years ago, a committee was put together to start fundraising and examining options to build one, she said.

Guillemette said funds being raised, together with the CPA grants from both communities, would be enough to build the structure. The sound system, electrical work and structure footings would be paid for by the school district, she said.

The estimated cost for the project in the CPC application is $210,700. The Booster Club has raised $33,000.

Monomoy Regional High School girls basketball players Susannah Brown and Karah Deveau, both three-sport athletes, advocated for the press box. Deveau praised the success of the school’s sports teams in recent years, citing the field hockey and boys soccer teams making it to the state championship round this year.

Brown said over the past few years more and more Monomoy athletes have had college commitments. A press box would allow coverage of all games in all weather conditions, making it easier for student athletes to make highlight films to send to college coaches, she said.

Brown said major college recruitment is done through AAU sports programs, and filming opportunities might help lower-income families who might not be able to put their student athlete into a club program.

Guillemette said the press box could be used for a variety of community events, such as the All Cape Special Olympics, which has brought 500 athletes to the Monomoy stadium in 2019. MRHS special needs teacher Shana Grogan said there were problems with the athletes hearing her whistle announcing program rotations. She also said using a starting gun for races and other events was “really intense” for some of the athletes, often creating chaos.

“It would be a lot nicer than a gun,” said Grogan of intercom-based directives.

Grogan said at other high school stadiums she notices the press box being used for starting rotations and other directed movements through the intercom system.

Guillemette said she partners with the recreation department for youth programs at the stadium, adding that the recreation and youth commission is in support of the project.

“It will enhance the community experience,” said Guillemette.

Select Board Chair Julie Kavanagh said there was a lot of community involvement when the booster club put the concession stand in place.

“I think it’s a fantastic project, and a great presentation,” said select board member Jeffrey Handler. “I’m 100 percent in support of it.”

The select board voted 4-0 to support the community preservation committee application.