Celina City Schools is moving forward with its master facility plan — building new athletic facilities in phases as money becomes available, Superintendent Brooke Gessler told the school board at its regular meeting Monday night, October 19.
Celina Board of Education Regular Meeting, 10/19/2026
Gessler delivered a roughly seven-minute facilities update near the end of the meeting, prompted by a recent meeting of the Bulldog Athletic Capital Campaign Committee and community rumors questioning whether the plan was still alive. Her answer: yes, the district is moving forward with future facilities as it has funds to do so. No board vote was taken on the plan Monday night.
Phase 1: new track first — The first phase centers on a brand-new track with a field inside it — the field to be turf, funded through donation — along with site improvements such as parking and sidewalks, and an additional practice field with irrigation. Phase 1 also includes the TriStar renovation and the middle school renovation, both subject to value engineering (cost-cutting), with the middle school conversations scheduled for November.
Phase 2: the rest of the stadium — A second phase, at a future date, would cover the rest of the football stadium, visitor restrooms, the soccer field and tennis upgrades. No construction costs or start dates were given Monday; projects will be completed as the money comes in. Board member Mark Huelsman urged finishing the football stadium and getting projects done in phases so they can be used.
The fundraising campaign — The Bulldog Athletic Capital Campaign Committee has set a target of at least $3 million to cover funding gaps, with a goal of $5 million, which Gessler said would allow the district to do about everything it needs to do, on top of the money it has left. She said the district may be able to finish in two phases instead of three. Fundraising is underway — commitments made, checks not yet in — and donations will flow through the Mercer County Civic Foundation. The committee is waiting for an official public launch before approaching businesses and alumni, and is also writing grants and meeting with industry and hospitals.
The old facilities: not discussed Monday — Straight answer to your question: the Fieldhouse and the existing stadium never came up at this meeting. That question was last aired at an earlier monthly meeting — the board exploring an auction of the Fieldhouse site as three parcels, with a survey and appraisal to come, and Huber and Huelsman skeptical about keeping the building. Monday night, nobody touched it.
Superintendent Brooke Gessler, October 2026
Superintendent Brooke Gessler shares her October update, highlighting the latest facilities updates and progress across Celina City Schools.
