Bloomington, Indiana – The Monroe County Community School Corporation is moving forward with a $8 million enhancement project that will pay for itself through bonds. This means that students at Bloomington High School North will soon have a lot of new sports facilities.
This week, district officials said that work on the Athletics and Parking Improvement Project will start in March. If the weather allows it, the work should be done by the fall of 2026. The money will be used to update buildings that students, athletes, and visiting families use, but it won’t affect the money that goes to classrooms.
There are plans for a number of new things to be added to the campus. There will be new throwing grounds for track and field, as well as a separate facility for athletic facilities that include changing rooms for visitors. The improvement includes a synthetic turf soccer field and new batting cages for baseball and softball teams.
Fans attending games will see improvements too, with a concessions area serving both soccer and baseball events. To make it easier for people to get to and from important events, there will be a new parking lot.
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District leaders pointed out that the way the money is set up keeps the money used for teaching safe. The MCCSC Debt Service Fund is paying for the project. This is a pool of money set out just for building and renovating. It doesn’t use money from referendums, operating budgets, or money that goes to teachers’ salaries and classroom support.
Superintendent Markay L. Winston, Ph.D., said the district was intentional about safeguarding teaching and learning resources while still addressing facility needs.
“These investments will provide our students and athletes with modern facilities they deserve and we’re proud to deliver them without impacting the financial resources that directly support teaching and learning,” said Superintendent Markay L. Winston, Ph.D.
“At a time when every dollar matters for public education, we want our community to know this project was planned with financial responsibility at the forefront. It’s funded entirely through bonds, which means not a single dollar comes from our referendum funds or our funds that pay teacher salaries and support classroom instruction.”
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Principal Matt Stark described the upgrades as a transformative step for the North campus.
“This bond-funded project represents a transformational investment in the Bloomington High School North campus,” said BHSN Principal Matt Stark.
“The new parking lot will significantly enhance access to our track and football complex, highlighted by a dynamic new entrance that celebrates the rich tradition and ongoing success of our Cougar programs, along with upgraded restroom and concession facilities. The expanded parking will also improve accessibility for events at our auditorium, gymnasium, and aquatic center. The new soccer field complements our state-of-the-art tennis facility, baseball and softball complexes, and adds concession areas to better serve fans and guests.”
School administrators indicated that construction should not affect the daily drop-off and pick-up schedules for students. Families and community members will be able to see updates on the project’s phases and timetables online.
The effort is part of the district’s broader Designing and Building to Sustain Excellence initiative. The goal is to make long-term enhancements to academic, artistic, athletic, and performing arts spaces while keeping money set aside for everyday educational needs.
