The Sylva Herald and Ruralite - SMHS to fix visitors' football bleachers, install gym floor SMHS to fix visitors' football bleachers, install gym floor By Lynn Hotaling Athletic facilities at Smoky Mountain High School will receive upgrades this spring and summer. It was determined that money to complete the project can be taken from the school system's fund balance and replaced from next year's budget. School board Chairman Martha Queen said the board would seek reimbursement from county commissioners in the next fiscal year's budget. The steel support structure for the bleachers is sound, Middleton said. He anticipates that work can be completed before the first football game in August.
Plans are to tear up the existing maple floor as soon as the basketball season is complete.
Architect John Cort of Asheville said his projection is to receive bids by Feb. 27 and sign a contract within the next two weeks. The school system has two options with regard to the bleachers in the gym, Cort said. The existing bleachers can be repaired or new, motorized bleachers can be purchased and installed. If new bleachers are used, Cort said, some seating will be lost due to newer codes that require additional aisle space. A final decision about the bleachers was not made, although Queen spoke in favor of new bleachers with easier access for older fans.