AMHERST — Members of the Amherst Regional School Committee intend to press forward with what could be a nearly $5 million project for rebuilding the high school track and its interior field, even though the communities that make up the district may be unwilling to foot the bill.
Superintendent Michael Morris told the committee Tuesday there are significant concerns about the cost of the project from representatives of Pelham, Shutesbury and Leverett. He said district leaders are doing a lot of “soul-searching” to pursue the most comprehensive and expensive plan, known as Option 3.
A detailed presentation will be made to the committee on March 1, Morris said, that will show how the project could be made more palatable by relying more on fundraising and Community Preservation Act money.
Option 3 would cost $4.74 million, based on estimates provided by Weston & Sampson of Boston for replacing the latex-covered asphalt track built in 1999. The plan would reorient the track from east-west to north-south, and calls for a new interior field with synthetic turf.
Under this plan, and based on apportioning assessments based on a regional formula, Amherst would pay $3.67 million, Leverett $392,925, Shutesbury $328,755 and Pelham $255,285.
There are cheaper options, including:
■Option 1A, for $1.25 million, would only resurface the running track in its current location while making no fixes to the interior field.
■Option 1B, for $3.52 million, which would resurface the running track in its current location while putting in a new natural grass field.
■Option 2, for $3.77 million, which would reorient and rebuild the running track while putting in a new natural grass field.
Amherst representative Allison McDonald said the committee needs to know whether private foundation grants are available, and also determine other potential revenue sources. One hope is to be able to hold more interscholastic sporting events that could provide the district money as a host.
