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New scoreboard with video recommended for Barrington High's stadium

Private money through long-term business sponsorships would pay for a proposed new main scoreboard with video at Barrington High School's stadium used by the football team and other outdoor sports teams.

Members of Barrington Area Unit District 220's advisory facilities committee this week said they liked the idea of a Daktronics 373-square-foot, high-definition screen for game video and information, and a basic score and time display at the top along with four side panels for advertising.

If built, the video display section would be more than triple the size of the current 109-square-foot display.

"It's going to be 'wow' compared to what we have now," District 220 Superintendent Brian Harris said.

Barrington High School Athletic Director Mike Obsuszt said he's recommending replacement of the current scoreboard because it no longer has available parts or service. The company that built it, White Way Sign and Maintenance Co. of Mount Prospect, went bankrupt in 2014 and its assets later were purchased by another business.

A smaller, basic scoreboard on the stadium's north end and other work would be part of the Daktronics proposal expected to cost at least $455,000. Lombard-based architect Gregory Stahler said he'll get a final price estimate from Daktronics after all potential work is identified before the full District 220 board is asked to formally vote on the proposal.

District 220, in collaboration with the high school's Quarterback Club football boosters, has been seeking private donors for a new round of stadium sponsorship deals to provide money for the scoreboard, possible replacement of the artificial turf field and other needs.

"So far, we've got close to a half-million dollars that's committed to the stadium," said Tim Neubauer, the district's assistant superintendent of business services.

In August 2008, the new Barrington High stadium debuted with an eight-lane track and a larger field surface as a result of a $4.4 million borrowing plan approved by voters a year earlier. But District 220 officials agreed not to authorize any public money for stadium enhancements, such as the synthetic turf and an upgraded main scoreboard.

As part of the fundraising campaign, Motor Werks Auto Group in Barrington is expected to become the stadium's new playing surface sponsor - replacing Celebrate Life Field - starting in the 2018-19 school year. Harris said the Motor Werks deal could be finalized next week.

Harris said Celebrate Life Field will vanish from Barrington Community Stadium because Cancer Treatment Centers of America declined to enter a new sponsorship contract. He said the Wickstrom Auto Group in Barrington is "very happy" to continue with its name on the main board facing fans as they enter the stadium.

Barrington High stadium sponsorships would help pay for scoreboard, field renovations

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