Traverse City Schools Advance Carlisle Field Clubhouse Design Plans

Traverse City Area Public Schools convened community members and district staff on Dec. 16 at the East Middle School Library to present and solicit final feedback on architectural drawings for the Carlisle Field Afterschool Clubhouse and Multi Purpose Fieldhouse. The session focused on design details and next steps, as TCAPS prepares to request pricing from contractors and organizations.

The facility concept originated in 2018 when the parcel on Carlisle Road was donated for Central High School athletic fields. What began as a plan for indoor winter practice space evolved into a broader proposal for an afterschool clubhouse and a summer events venue that could host camping and other youth activities. The proposed building would sit beside the Centre Ice Arena and connect to Eastern Middle School by a pedestrian bridge, creating direct access for students and staff.

"So this is an opportunity to just show those drawings and be able to get any feedback on those drawings of what might be tweaked a little here and there, but it just gives an idea to kind of show what the drawings kind of resulted in. Before, we get some pricing out to different groups," said Dr. Jon VanWagoner, TCAPS Superintendent.

Local impacts are practical and financial. Construction would generate short term demand for builders and suppliers in Grand Traverse County, while the finished facility would expand afterschool capacity and provide sheltered options for winter programming that are currently constrained by weather. For families, the clubhouse promises more supervised opportunities for children outside regular school hours. For the district, the project adds long term operating responsibilities that will need budgeting for maintenance, staffing, and programming partnerships.

Policy choices ahead will shape how the project is funded and used. TCAPS will need to weigh capital financing options, potential grant and partnership revenue, and pricing for community access to ensure sustainable operations. As Traverse City plans for growth in student services and recreational amenities, the Carlisle Field project exemplifies a local trend toward multifunctional school linked facilities that aim to serve both educational and community needs. The district has signaled it will move next to gather construction estimates and refine the project timetable.