Car dealer paying to replace school’s unsafe bleachers

An automobile dealer is giving $1.5 million to replace the bleachers at a Greenwood high school's football stadium that have been closed off because of safety concerns.

The deal between Ray Skillman and the Center Grove school district will pay for new bleachers on both the home and visitor sides of the football field. The project will enlarge seating capacity from its current 4,000 to nearly 5,900, the Daily Journal of Franklin reported.

District Superintendent Richard Arkanoff said the new agreement could include advertisements or billboards around the stadium that's already named for Skillman. Officials hope to have the new bleachers completed before football season starts.

Officials closed the bleachers last month after inspectors found rusted bolts, misaligned support beams and foundation troubles.

Center Grove's football team went 14-0 last season and won the state 6A championship.