Suttons Bay fighting code that requires more toilets at its field.

The number of bathrooms needed in conjunction with improvements to the Suttons Bay school athletic field will be the subject of an appeal to the county Construction Board of Appeals next week.

Suttons Bay superintendent Michael Murray is seeking a variance in the state construction code which, as written, would require a significant increase in the number of toilets at the school athletic field.

A decrepit set of bleachers at the football field was replaced by a new set with a seating capacity of 1,470. The improvement was made with the support of the Field of Dreams Committee. However, because the bleachers are considered a “structure,” state code also includes “fixture requirements” that would significantly increase the number of toilets and lavatory facilities at the site.

The district sought — and received — a 1-year exemption from the state code on Nov. 22, 2006. Now that the exemption is expiring, the district is considering additional improvements and has found the “fixture requirements” for the new bleachers to be excessive.

As it reads, the code would require the school district to install toilets at a ratio of 1 per every 75 males in attendance, and 1 for every 40 females. Likewise, a lavatory sink would be required for every 200 males and every 150 females, a drinking fountain for every 1,000 people, and a janitorial sink.

Based on the requirements, the district would have to include just over 19 toilets for men and 36 for women.

Currently, there are only two toilets apiece for both genders.

“When we change our current concession stand, we have to bring everything into ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance,” Murray said. “They will all have to be handicapped-accessible and will have to hook into the village sewer system.”

The toilets are now connected to an individual septic field.

Murray said he’s received a cost estimate of $400,000 for the project if it were to be constructed per the state code.

“With the financial hardships facing schools, to spend $400,000 on a facility which is only used 18 hours a year … is silly. We simply took out our old bleachers and put in new,” Murray said.

The superintendent took it one step further. Michigan State’s Spartan Stadium and “the big house” at the University of Michigan were recently upgraded. Based on the seating capacities of each, Murray estimated that Michigan Stadium would have to have 687 toilets for men and 1,288 for women.

“I don’t think you find that there,” he said. “The code would make sense if it were for an office building where there are people all day long, but for 18 hours a year … it just doesn’t make sense.”

The hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4, in the River Office Meeting Room in Leland.