Cloquet will be a little brighter this fall, with the installation of a new scoreboard and lights on the tennis courts at the high school.
The new scoreboard at Cloquet High School was the topic of much discussion due to the $34,000 projected cost. The estimate included a scoreboard with a decorative truss and a message center capable of displaying scrolling content such as advertisements, during games.
The current scoreboard, used during football and soccer games mostly, is 30 years old, and doesn't work well anymore, according to Cloquet High School Principal Warren Peterson.
On at least two occasions last year, electricians were called to the field to repair the scoreboard, Cloquet Middle School Principal Tom Brennan said.
Talk soon turned to the messaging center portion of the scoreboard, which added some $12,000 to the cost.
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"It seems like a lot of money to add to this project," said Duane Buytaert, School Board treasurer.
Cloquet Athletic Director Tom Lenarz recommended the scoreboard with the messaging center, according to Peterson, with the idea that costs could be recouped through advertising.
School Board members were not convinced, however, and voted against the motion that included it in the cost.
When a motion was made to approve a less expensive version without the messaging center, Buytaert took issue with the $4,000 "decorative accent," featuring truss work and artwork including the Lumberjacks name.
"We need a new scoreboard but not the fanciest one out there," he said.
A motion approving the scoreboard with the artwork but without the messaging center was approved at a cost of $20,390, with Buytaert and board member Sandy Crowley voting against it.
School board members unanimously approved giving an additional $5,000 toward the completion of the tennis courts lighting project at the high school, which has been in the works for the past several years. They gave $5,000 last year in May to the project, while the city of Cloquet contributed $5,000. The Cloquet Tennis Association raised $11,000. Increased costs prompted the request for the added funds, according to Gene Salmi, buildings and grounds director for the Cloquet School District.
Tom Proulx, who is involved with the high school tennis program, thanked council members.
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"You've made many young men and women and one old guy (referring to himself) very happy tonight," he said.
