Hurricane Ian: One Year Later

2023 • HURRICANE IAN: ONE YEAR LATER • 29 Bring this ad in and receive $1000 OFF the purchase of a new STAR golf cart. GOLF CART SALES & REPAIR SERVICE PARTS & ACCESSORIES PICKLEBALL PRODUCTS • E-BIKES PADDLE BOARDS • KAYAKS 5855 Placida Rd., Suite 200, Englewood (941) 662-7410 kappyskarts.com adno=3903054-1 DAMAGE DONE: Schools receive new scoreboards Chuck Ballaro Sports Writer There was a lot of damage done to Charlotte County high schools as a result of Hurricane Ian. One of the most obvious was the destruction of the scoreboards at the football stadiums. Charlotte County Public Schools is in the process of remedying after installing new state-of-the-art scoreboards that are being used now, although they aren't fully operational yet, said Claudette Smith, public information offi cer for the district. "The scoreboards aren't just numbers and lights. It's a symbol of school pride and a rallying point for fans," she said. "It adds to the excitement of the game and fosters a strong sense of community spirit." The scoreboards, which cost about $225,000 apiece, were paid for by insurance money (about $75,000 apiece) and capital funds, meaning the total cost to the district for the upgraded boards was $450,000. The new boards have a Jumbo- tron at the bottom, which would allow for video replays, added creativity by each of the schools, and sponsors to generate revenues, Smith said. Local athletic directors are thrilled to receive the new boards. Charlotte Athletic Director Tom Massolio received four new scoreboards across multiple sport fi elds after all were destroyed by Ian. "The boards are really nice, an upgrade from what we had before. Whoever ordered them did a great job," Massolio said. He was pleased with the technology and upgrades. "Once we get the video part done and learn more about it, it will be a nice feature for not only us but the other schools," he said. At Port Charlotte, the board was accompanied by other upgrades, including new lighting. "Once they get the fi beroptics run so we can use the video board, the scoreboards are great," Port Charlotte AD Robert Bruglio said. Lemon Bay Athletic Director Ryan LaVallee could not be reached for comment, but Veterans Stadium also received some new lighting in addition to its new scoreboard. SUN photo by PATRICK OBLEY The Veterans Stadium scoreboard at Lemon Bay was pushed to the ground through a stand of mature palm trees by Hurricane Ian's winds. SUN FILE PHOTO Port Charlotte Athletic Director Bob Bruglio in 2016. Bruglio was a member of the Pirates' first football team. TOM O'NEILL Tom Massolio, Charlotte SUN photo by TIM KERN Lemon Bay's new scoreboard, complete with a videoboard, was installed shortly before the start of the 2023 football season. The former scoreboard had been destroyed by Hurricane Ian. All three Charlotte County high schools received new scoreboards, partially paid for by storm-related recovery funds.

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