Fire Destroys Key Athletic Equipment at Payson High School

Fire destroys shed and athletic equipment inside at Payson High School.

The track and football teams at Payson High School experienced a great loss last week after thousands of dollars in equipment was destroyed by fire. The equipment had been stored inside a shed on the campus's north-side, set ablaze, August 7, by juveniles who have since been apprehended.

“Everything in the shed was a complete loss,” according to Payson High Principal Ben Ford, “either by the heat or from the fire.”

The greatest loss was sustained by the high school's track team. “The track team pretty much had all their equipment out there,” Ford said, including pits, hurdles, and javelins. The team's electronic equipment was spared, however, as these items had been stored inside the school.

Much of the football team's equipment had been stored in the high school basement, noted Ford. What was lost in the shed fire were the team's tackling dummies, tackling shields, and game-day field markers, “things that are used on the practice field or the main field” during play.

It will be another week before a more precise monetary value can be determined, according to Ford. Payson High Lions Track Coach David Rockwood and Football Coach Jeremy Champman continue to assess costs associated with the destroyed equipment.

Suffice to say, “It was a substantial loss,” said Ford.

Meanwhile, the high school has experienced a wellspring of support from community members and schools within Nebo District and without. “The support has been overwhelming,” said Ford. “Just about every school in the valley has called and offered to help.”

For those who wish to make a contribution to help the Payson High School teams restore lost equipment as a new school year quickly approaches, Principal Ford would be pleased to speak with you. Nebo School District Public Information Officer, Lana Hiskey, may also be contacted 801-354-7400 by those who wish to help.

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The Payson Chronicle.

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