High School Football Bleachers Under Examination After Spectator Broke Through Seat

A portion of the football stadium is closed off after a spectator broke through one of the seats at the .

No injuries were reported but the structural engineering firm Harrison and Hammett as well as the architects Di Cara and Rubino are examining the stadium, Superintendent Richard Starodub said.

“They’re doing a thorough evaluation. We’re awaiting the report before we fix anything,” he said.

Harrison and Hammett, who are familiar with the stadium, did an examination of the home and away sides last week, he said. A report should be submitted to the school district by Friday, Sept. 30.

Currently the condition of the stadium is undetermined and it is too soon to say what action will have to be taken and how much it will cost, Starodub said.

“Money is in short supply as you can imagine,” he said.

Once the school board receives the report, they will weigh the expenses for the short-term and long-term and determine which will be more cost effective, Starodub said. The school district has a small amount of money available in a free balance account that can be used when unexpected situations, like this, arise.

A representative from Harrison and Hammett was unable to comment on the matter.

The next home game is on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. against Barnegat High School.

Continue to follow Lacey Patch as more information becomes available.