PHOTO BY LISA CARNLEY On a tour Monday of the new Lampasas High School facility, visitors had the chance to go inside the building to see construction progress. This front view of the campus shows the library on the left side next to the main entrance. See related photos, page 10B. Revised plans for the athletic complex at the new Lampasas High School facility south of town helped slice more than $171,000 from proposed expenses while keeping the integrity of the project and seeing it to completion.

Lampasas Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Brant Myers Monday night recommended several alternates for the addition of softball, baseball, grass practice fields, field lighting and other items to bring the athletic complex to a competition-level facility.

After reducing the seating capacity of bleachers, selecting an alternate track surface and making several other reductions, trustees agreed to support the proposal.

A bid of just over $327,000 was approved to get the complex up to standards board members felt were needed for the school to be a complete facility.

"We're talking about $300,000, and five to 10 years down the road to do all that you're talking about a lot more money. And I hate to leave things half done," said Trustee Kirk Whitehead.

"Our goal," said Myers, "has always been to get our kids out there and keep them out there, and this will do it."

Board member Wesley Crow said the lessons he learned in athletics have been of as much or more benefit in his electrical contracting business than almost anything else he came away with from school. "Athletics is an important part of the educational process, and I don't agree with those who say it's not."

Trustee Linda Floerke said a complete facility affects how students play and shows others what the community is all about.

Said board member Max Keele: "It would be a shame to have a new school and then have to transport our kids all over the district for athletics."

LISD Director of Athletics Joey McQueen said the community is not trying to get anything extravagant. "But we want something everyone can be proud of. Athletics don't drive the bus, but we're on the bus."

James Briggs, president of the board of trustees, said the LISD can't afford to pass up the opportunity for a complete athletic complex. "We will do everything we possibly can to make it cost less, and if there's any way of getting more money, like donations, we will."

In other business, trustees heard an update from Myers on progress at district campuses, including the new high school facility. After a 45-minute tour of the facility by several high school teachers, Myers noted how much change has occurred there in just a week's time.

"There were over 160 people out there working today," the superintendent said. "A lot is going on -- from sheetrock to masonry and plumbing to electri- cal. Classrooms are being sheetrocked, and the outside of the building is being rocked.

"It is really moving forward," he said.

Myers encouraged community members to attend monthly tours to be given prior to each board meeting. A school bus will provide transportation to the site, and the superintendent will offer commentary.

"This is a good opportunity for everyone to see what's going on out there and what kind of quality product we are building," he said of the tours.

At Taylor Creek Elementary, a back wall is up, an additional slab is being poured, and the steel is on its way, Myers reported. Playgrounds also have been graded.

Renovations at Kline Whitis Elementary are continuing, with the final project -- gym construction -- about 40 percent complete, said the superintendent.

Inside rock work is done, and work on the outside walls is ongoing. Windows are being installed, Myers added.

At the current high school campus -- slated to become a middle school in 2009 -- cafeteria work is continuing. Ceilings and floors are being installed. Kitchen renovations also are under way, he said.

Also, a committee has met several times to consider zoning for elementary enrollment, which will be divided among three schools (Kline Whitis, Hanna Springs Intermediate and Taylor Creek) when Taylor Creek opens its doors in Kempner for the 2009-10 school year.

A zoning plan will be recommended to trustees at the December board meeting.