Newport Independent Schools have begun one of three phases for their high school football field.
Phase one of three began on May 4 as demolition is underway on the old bleachers that were condemned prior to last season and deemed unsafe. The Wildcats had to play all of 2022’s games on the road or a neutral site and hold practices at Holmes High School. The plan is to have the project complete in the fall, the school hopeful for completion by the team’s first home game on September 22.
The new bleachers will seat 1,500.
“The demolition is expected to be completed in four to six weeks,” said Dennis Maines, Director of Facilities and Transportation for the Newport Independent Schools. “After demolition, we will begin site preparation of the new bleachers. Our goal is generally late September or early October. We are hoping we are advanced in our project timeline to keep the first home game.”
Supply chain and delivery will be key in keeping with the current timeline.
“It is our hope that we can play a few home games at home this year,” said Newport Independent Schools Superintendent Tony Watts. “That means a lot to our students, our fans and the community so we hope that can happen.”
Phase two will also include construction of locker rooms, rest rooms, a concession stand and new field lighting.
The district also plans to seek private donations through a fundraising effort. Details of the fundraising have not been announced. Maines said the initial demolition phase will cost about $3 million.
The stadium was dedicated on September 22, 1939 after being built as part of the Depression-era Work Projects Administration (WPA). It has been home to the Wildcats’ football program ever since. But an annual inspection in March of 2022 failed and the team was no longer allowed to use the facility. In October, the Newport Board of Education voted unanimously to replace the bleachers.
Newport Central Catholic also played their home games there and rents the field from Newport. In November 2022, New Cath launched the $13 million “Looking Up” capital campaign, which will fund renovations and significant new construction at the school which includes construction of on-campus multi-purpose athletic complex providing a home field for boys and girls soccer, track, and football teams and a practice facility for baseball and softball teams. Fundraising efforts are expected through 2023.
