By Amanda Foust
A new sports building will soon be under construction at Carmel High School, replacing a structure at the soccer field that houses locker rooms, a concession stand and public restrooms.
The Carmel Clay Schools board of trustees awarded bids for the $1.5 million project at a workshop session Oct. 12.
“The existing building was constructed in the 1960s and has numerous plumbing and electrical challenges given the age of the structure,” CHS athletic director Jim Inskeep said.
The new 7,000-square-foot building will replicate and improve upon what the current building holds. It will house two locker rooms, a team meeting room, concession stand, storage and public restrooms. Construction is not expected to disrupt any CHS teams or programs.
“I think this project is bringing [the building]up to the standards of all our other facilities,” Inskeep said. “Those in that area have noted it just doesn’t fit with the rest of campus’s architecture or our current needs.”
The new building, like the old one, will be named in honor of Chuck Koeppen, a longtime head coach of the CHS cross country programs. Koeppen has won the most state championships by an individual coach in Indiana history.
Fanning Howey Architects are working with Inskeep to determine the best layout to meet the needs of the school. The scheduled completion is expected in May 2016.