Renovations are in the works for QC stadium

Imagine if you will the excitement students, staff, and members of the Queen City ISD community must have felt in the fall of 1974 when the first touchdown was made on the newly built and opened Smith-Wall Stadium field. The school was entering its twenty-third year to have a football team and was on the brink of opening its brand new high school.

Although there have been some moderate changes to the field and surrounding track since that first game, the stadium, as it is today, is in almost the same form as it was that Friday night nearly 46 years ago.

As 2020 brings a new decade and everyone welcomes the promise of a new year, the district is looking forward with excitement as plans are currently being made to renovate some of the original facilities in the stadium.

The stadium was built on land that was donated by Frank Wall and his wife, Letha (Smith) Wall, to Queen City ISD. The new stadium was constructed and Queen City football activities were moved from the original site which is now where Morris Upchurch Middle School stands.

There have been a few repairs and some upgrades made to the field and surrounding area during its lifetime. School staff can remember that the home side stands were moved back several feet so that the track could be expanded to accommodate eight lanes.

The track has been rebuilt and was later resurfaced again as it cycled through the life expectancy of tracks.

A new sprinkler system which replaced a forty-six year-old hydraulic system that could no longer be repaired was installed on the field two years ago. Handrails were added to the home side stadium just about a year before that. Of course the routine maintenance of the playing surface itself is ongoing.

The district has recognized for many years that some renovations must be made to the facilities inside the stadium. It is apparent to anyone who has attended an event or worked in the concession stands at the football field for the last several years that some repairs are long overdue.

The district has dedicated much of its efforts for several years on making improvements to its technology equipment and instructional facilities as well as adding to the property and improving its vehicle fleets.

The efforts to improve these areas will continue as there is still much to be accomplished; however, we have come to a point in time where no more cost feasible repairs can be made to the current concession and restroom facilities in the stadium.

The district is in a position to make the needed improvements right now and without going to the taxpayers for the funding.

The district’s leadership team entered discussions during the summer and fall of 2019 in efforts to plan just exactly what upgrades and renovations will be made to the facility. The group quickly moved in the direction of building a new structure that will house at least the concession stand and home side restrooms. Dan Bartlett of Bartlett Architecture in Benton, AR was selected to take the lead on the design aspect of the facility.

The district is currently seeking qualified applicants for a construction manager at-risk who will be used to manage the actual construction of the new building and any other renovations to be made. The selection process is expected to be completed by late January. Meanwhile, the design phase continues to evolve.

The ideas currently being considered include the previously mentioned concession and restroom facility, some renovations to the home field house, and possible remodeling of the visitor’s side restrooms to be used as a dressing facility for visiting teams.

The home field house has been renovated a few times throughout the life of the stadium but is currently in need of some upgrades. The district hopes to include an expansion of the current training room, relocation of the laundry room, some additional shower facilities, and a larger media room.

The final details and exact scope of the project will be determined once a construction manager is brought on board.

The district’s goal is to have the entire project completed in time for football season next year.