The ConVal Booster Club is reigniting the discussion to replace the concession trailer at the ConVal Regional High School football field.
After addressing the ConVal Budget and Properties Committee on Tuesday, the group hopes to develop a clear plan for more space and eventually permanent outdoor restrooms to replace the temporary porta-potties.
Renee Davis, president of the booster club, said the teams earned a total of $22,000 in the 2025-2026 school year from concessions. With a small percentage taken by the booster club for insurance, this money goes straight to the teams which they can spend as they choose.
The booster club, formerly known as the Friends of ConVal Athletics (FCVA), along with the school board, originally started drafting plans for this updated structure in 2022.
Davis said the plans kept growing beyond what the booster club was seeking. The plans ended up involving a fancier kitchen, medical space, additional storage and bathrooms.
“We just wanted a room,” Davis said.
When describing the current state of the concessions trailer, the booster club pointed out that only a single line of volunteers can fit and they must be short. Anyone above six feet has to bend down. In addition, the ceiling vent leaks directly on the grill that no longer functions, and mice run amok.
“It really does limit how many volunteers that we can have in there,” Davis said.
Tim Grossi, facilities director for the district, said he believes the trailer is approximately 22 years old.
The volunteers serve pre-made or pre-packaged items from the trailer and grill outside.
After plans were delayed, the goal was to break ground in the summer of 2024, but construction was stalled to allow time for the new athletic director to catch up, according to Davis.
The following summer, the plan was to start anew, but nothing materialized.
“It’s something a lot of the community has been asking about, so they come to us for answers and we don’t have any,” Jamie Farrell, chair of concessions for the booster club, said.
Now, the boosters are trying to simplify the plans and get them rolling again.
At the school board meeting, the boosters asked for more space and noted the community support for new bathrooms. They clarified they would like more storage, but are happy with the current shed next to the trailer.
Grossi said electric and mechanical plans for a new structure were created four years ago, but they did not finish the architectural design.
Davis asked about local professionals willing to donate their time for the school and the possibility of community volunteers helping build the structure to cut costs. She said she understood some details need to be worked out, including a septic plan and permits for the property.
Overall, the school committee was supportive of the request, but wanted to ensure the plans are clear and sized down from the design four years ago.
Tim Kingston, school board representative from Temple, said, “We’re happy to pay for what you need because you’re doing a great service for us.”
Kingston liked the idea of community involvement.
“I think it’s a great idea if we can get both public buy-in and reduce our tax costs. That’s an awesome direction,” he said.