But Muskegon Public Schools won't. Instead of asking for taxpayer funding, school officials and boosters are gearing up for a significant fundraising effort to pay for improvements to historic Hackley Stadium that could reach $3 million.

High on the list of improvements is artificial turf that would allow for significantly more use by school and community teams. Other needs are a locker room for visiting teams, repairs to existing locker rooms, fencing, a new press box, a new scoreboard and expanded bleachers, according to Muskegon Athletic Director Michael D. Watson.

Watson said he understands why the school board believes asking for a millage-funded bond issue "would appear to be somewhat irresponsible," especially when the economy is sputtering and funding for academics has been stagnant.

But Watson said he also has an obligation to keep up athletic facilities, including the 80-year-old stadium that is showing its age.

"That's a learning environment too," Watson said. "My cause is to fight for the facilities and the experience of those student athletes."

Watson discussed stadium needs with district administrators last year, who made it clear they didn't want to use tax funds to pay for improvements. So last October, Watson presented a list of stadium improvements -- and a plan for raising funds to pay for them -- to the Big Red Athletic Foundation board. The foundation is a nonprofit organization similar to -- but more formal than -- athletic booster clubs.

The foundation organized a committee to explore the project, and talks began with an architect who has done some preliminary drawings and is working up cost estimates.
Watson admits the prospect of raising the necessary money is daunting -- the artificial turf alone could cost $700,000.

"Quite honestly, I don't know if we can do it," Watson said. "I don't know if it's important enough for people. There just may not be enough money to get it done."

The Rev. Charles Poole, president of the Muskegon school board, said there's "real debate" about pursuing a tax increase. The last time the school district asked for a millage increase was in 1995, when voters approved a $43 million plan to renovate facilities throughout the district. Some improvements to Hackley Stadium were included in that plan, but money ran out before they could be achieved.

School board Secretary Earl "Bill" O'Brien, who sits on the stadium committee, said there's "no way" he would support a millage increase.

"I think that sends the wrong message to the kids," O'Brien said. "We have so many issues in public education. Every dollar we can scrape together has to go to help kids get into college."

Since the passage of Proposal A in 1994, which shifted school funding from property taxes to an increase in the sales tax, schools have not been allowed to seek millage increases for operations. But they can ask property owners to pay for facility improvements, and some local districts recently have asked them to pay for stadium improvements.

Voters in Holton and Grand Haven approved bond issues in 2005 that paid for new stadiums. Mona Shores Public Schools officials recently announced they are considering asking for an extension of a current millage to pay for artificial turf at their football stadium.

But Watson could take a page out of the playbook at Oakridge, which managed to raise $500,000 in community donations to pay for artificial turf at its football field. That included a $174,000 donation from a private citizen and more than $200,000 in in-kind donations from area businesses.

Watson said Muskegon's fundraising effort also will include solicitation of in-kind donations, such as the one being provided by Hooker/DeJong Architects & Engineers. A Muskegon alumnus is an architect at Hooker/DeJong, which is reducing its fee for producing drawings and cost estimates for the stadium improvements from about $15,000 to $7,000, Watson said, adding that that cost will be paid for through a loan from the foundation.

He said major gifts from corporations or individuals likely will be pursued along with "grassroots fundraising."

"The facility serves as an example for visitors of what Muskegon Public Schools has to offer," Watson wrote in his renovation outline. "For better or worse, visitors judge the school district and community based on their experience at Hackley Stadium."

Watson's outline prioritizes improvements in six construction phases. The first phase would involve installation of artificial turf, primarily because it would serve the most students, Watson said. More schools are installing artificial turf because it can stand up to more wear and tear than natural turf. That means soccer teams can use the field, as can more community groups and physical education classes along with the football team and marching band.

Watson said there's also a valid argument for making a new scoreboard a priority, since it could be used to attract advertising revenues for the other improvements.

And, he said, there is a critical need for improvements to the locker rooms, which have many inoperable showers.

Watson said he hopes renovations can be completed in three years, and certainly not more than five. He said the committee will take its time preparing its proposal for renovations and cost estimates before taking it public.

"This is the part we want to be most careful about," he said. "You want to have the best plan possible, and we want to take our time with that."

STADIUM PLAN

Some renovations suggested for Muskegon's Hackley Stadium:

Artificial turf: It could take more use from a variety of groups, and could possibly be used for varsity soccer. Eventually would be savings in maintenance.

Locker room renovations: Many showers don't work, facilities are old and in disrepair, and there are no visiting team locker rooms.

Fencing: Current chain-link fence topped with barbed wire is considered unsightly and unsafe, and the desire is to replace it with a decorative brick wall.

Scoreboard: Current 20-year-old scoreboard is placed too close to the goal post and often suffers broken bulbs from errant kicks. Advertising on the scoreboard could be revenue source for future improvements.

Upgrades: Lighting, ticket booths, athletic training room, coaches office, storage, box office and press box.