Colfax approves donation for high school stadium sound system

The Colfax City Council approved to provide Colfax High School with a $3,000 donation for an updated sound system at Marson Stadium. Colfax City Manager Ron Walker advised the high school is in the process of updating the stadium, including the sound system. "They have collected a lot of money thus far from different donations and different people, and they're down to their last $3,000 they need to finish this project," he said. "And thus, they've come to the city and asked for some help with finishing filling that $3,000 gap." According to the staff report, Phase 2 of the stadium upgrade is close to being fully funded through $36,500 in donations and GREENLINE Spirit Wear & Gear Store sales. Additionally, the report notes the city has increased its Community Support Fund, which has been previously used to support events like Winterfest and 3rd of July, has been increased to $30,000 for this year's budget. The council received three comments, two of which noted the new sound system would benefit the community, as the stadium is utilized for various things. The third commenter noted if the city can provide funding for event fireworks, it can provide funding for the high school. Councilmember Larry Hillberg noted the council should close out the remaining need for the sound system. Councilmember Caroline McCully suggested revisiting the item in 90 days. "... Give the kids a chance now that they're in school and be able to communicate together to come up with some additional ways that the kids can participate in the fundraising for something that is for them at their school," McCully said. Councilmember Trinity Burruss said she appreciated McCully's points and agreed the council needed to offer discretion on if and when it offers funds, but felt this was an instance where the effort was put in. Burruss also noted, to her knowledge, the high school never asks for money. "I think that they have really gone the extra mile on this one and proved themselves, and I think this is one of those times where it makes a ton of sense for us to go ahead and provide $3,000 in funding because, again, they never ask us for money and they have done a fabulous job of showing that they were prepared to do their part," Burruss said. Hillberg asked whether a donation would assist with having the stadium completed in time for football season. A representative of the project confirmed the hope is to have it ready by the first home game on Sept. 6. After brief deliberations, the council approved providing the $3,000 donation in a unanimous vote.