DES MOINES, Iowa - Des Moines Public Schools (DPMS) is one step closer to building a $19.5 million stadium complex.
The school board voted unanimously (7-0) Tuesday night to award a design contract and approve an agreement with Drake University, which will be the site of the stadium.
The citizen group Save Our Stadium opposes the project, and has vowed to fight it in court after having its signature petition rejected.
The group says its 7,100 signatures are enough to send the stadium proposal to a public vote. But Des Moines Public Schools says 7,501 signatures are needed, which is equal to 30% of the ballots cast in the last general election. That election marked the first time school and city ballots on the same day in the state.
The 4,000-seat stadium will serve as the home field for the Hoover, Lincoln, North and Roosevelt football teams, while East High will continue to use Williams Stadium. Soccer teams from all the schools and Drake University will also use the new stadium.
DPMS will use sales tax money to pay for its $15 million portion of the project. Drake University will pay the remaining $4 million and manage the facility.
Plans call for the stadium to be ready to use by the summer of 2021.
(Image courtesy of Des Moines Public Schools)