Xtra Sports for July 13, 2017 – The Advocate

Renovation projects giving West Feliciana High's stadium a facelift

Summer is generally a time for maintenance and work on facilities before high school football practice gets underway at the beginning of August. This summer, Lee Hammer, West Feliciana Parish school system director of facilities and maintenance, has been busy overseeing some much-needed renovations to West Feliciana High School's stadium and field.

One of the projects is a nearly complete makeover of the press box. The extensive work includes larger windows, flooring and countertops and glass partitions. The seating will be improved, and the exterior of the box will be repainted.

Were reusing any materials they can, but the whole thing basically needed upgrading, said Hammer, who is beginning his second year in his position. The windows are taller for better viewing and will provide a full view of the field. It was claustrophobic. Anywhere you go now in there, youll have a better view.

The stadiums sound system will be completely overhauled to improve the audio for announcing, music, entertainment and graduation ceremonies.

All the stuff was old, Hammer said. Weve hired a company and given them a fresh canvas. The main speakers will be mounted on the press box, and there will be a couple more off the side.

Hammer said the revamped press box work will cost roughly $40,000, but it wont include adding space.

Well be able to accommodate what we need currently, Hammer said. Its more cost effective to do what weve done now. It would be nice to have more space up top, but this work will give us a modern, efficient press box.

The second major summer project on Hammers to do list is recrowning the Saints football field which includes some drainage improvements and new grass. Catch basins were improved for excess runoff rainwater.

We removed the old sod and crowned it twice, Hammer said. We added some new sprinkler heads for full water coverage of the whole field. We also were required to install a backflow valve.

In addition, the field has a new more resilient grass called Celebration Bermuda Grass, which is specifically designed for the rigors of heavy usage, such as a normal football season. Celebration Bermuda Grass also is used in other sporting venues like soccer fields and golf courses. To expedite growth, instead of laying new sod, the field was planted with sprigs of grass.

Will it be ready for the Saints first game of 2017 on Sept. 15?

Absolutely, Hammer said. Were going to let it grow, and itll be a great field. Its very durable and has more of a sand base, which is also good for drainage. It comes back quickly from divots and ruts.

Hammer said the total cost of the work to the football field is $42,000.

The final major summer project is the replacement of the stadiums running track. Hammer said work on it will begin as soon as the field is released. Ideally, hed like to see it completed for the first home game, but if that doesnt happen, contingencies will be in place so inconveniences will be kept at a minimum. The color will be royal blue, and it will be a similar rubbery surface texture to the current track.

It all depends on the weather, Hammer said. Were going to do our best to have it ready, and it should definitely be finished by the end of September.

Another project on the football practice field, a sand pit for athletes to train, is being completed by the Saints Quarterback Club.

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Xtra Sports for July 13, 2017 - The Advocate