ELKINS — School officials are asking for public donations to help fund a million-dollar upgrade project for the Elkins High School athletic complex, including installing artificial turf on a new football field.

The Team Up for the Tigers Campaign was kicked off in a letter signed by Randolph County Superintendent of Schools Debbie Schmidlen, EHS Principal Carla Lambert and EHS Athletic Director Ross Ware.

The letter includes comments about the Randolph County Board of Education’s decision in May to build a new football field beside EHS, after Wimer Stadium was deemed unsafe for the public in August 2020. The EHS Tigers football team hosted no home games in the 2020 season.

“We realize many people have strong emotional ties to Wimer Stadium,” the letter reads. “Please know this decision was not taken lightly. It was made with deliberation, analysis and discussion of the options. We genuinely believe a complex on the campus of Elkins High School is in the best interests of our students and community.

“We plan to honor the legacy of Coach Frank Wimer and Wimer Stadium’s history prominently at the upgraded complex,” the letter states.

The BOE has entered into a lease purchase agreement to fund the installation of bleachers and a press box at EHS, along with other upgrades at the school’s fields and those of Tygarts Valley High/Middle School, at a cost of $735,195.

“With the help of a volunteer committee, we are kicking off the Team Up for the Tigers Campaign to upgrade the EHS athletic complex,” the letter reads. “Your contribution will support EHS football, soccer, track, cheer, band and our community.”

“The first phase, which the BOE has agreed to fund, involves installing over 2,000 bleacher seats and a press box,” the letter states. “The EHS boys and girls soccer teams have been playing home games at EHS under the lights for several years.

“Adding JV and varsity football games will add to the field’s heavy usage; therefore the second phase involves turfing the field and replacing the dilapidated track at a cost of $1,010,000,” according to the letter.

“Additional phases include building locker rooms, expanding the restroom facilities and concession stand, and installing additional bleachers to meet WVSAAC requirements for postseason play.”

The letter requests donations, noting “all funds will be deposited into an account designated for this project exclusively.”

“We hope to move forward quickly with the second phase,” the letter states. “Having a turf field will allow the band to host a band field show competition and allow EMS football and the boys and girls soccer teams to play games at Elkins High.

“Replacing the track will allow EHS, EMS, Tygarts Valley High and Middle Schools, and Davis & Elkins to host track meets.”

The letter states the cost of turf is approximately $67 per square yard, and the cost of track is roughly $53.50 per square yard.

Those wishing to donate to the campaign can make checks payable to Elkins High School and mail them to the school.

Work began this month to create the new football stadium at EHS. Ware said at the time that the stadium project was still on schedule to be completed in time for the Tigers’ first home game on Oct. 1.