Work on the new Christian County High School soccer complex continues with turf installation about 40% as of last week.
As construction winds down on the new Christian County High School campus, District Athletic Director Jacob Ezell says the athletic facilities are beginning to take shape for the new home of the Christian County Tigers.
From new turf baseball, softball, and soccer fields at the high school campus to a renovated Stadium of Champions, Ezell says the vision for Christian County athletics is quickly becoming reality.
“We will also have the main gym, which is a college-length 94-foot floor, and we’ll have an auxiliary gym that’s also college length,” Ezell said.
While much of the construction remains behind fencing, Ezell says visible progress has accelerated in recent weeks.
“If you drive by there, the soccer field is probably about 45 to 50 percent complete, and you can also see the outline of how the baseball and softball fields will look,” he said. “If you have been out there in the past month or so, you’ll drive by, and it’ll shock you how things look now. It’s here, and it’s real.”
The athletic complex is part of the district’s new consolidated high school project, with the Christian County Board of Education approving more than $8 million in bids earlier this year for the construction of the baseball, softball, and soccer facilities. The project includes field construction, drainage, utility work, bleachers, band tower foundations, and supporting infrastructure.
District officials have said the athletic fields are being constructed alongside the new high school and remain on schedule as work continues through the summer. Construction reports presented to the school board have indicated the overall project remains within budget, with contingency funds still available for additional enhancements.
While baseball, softball, and soccer will call the new campus home, football will continue playing at the Stadium of Champions.
That facility, however, is receiving one of the most extensive renovations in its history.
“It’s no secret—you can drive by there, and you’ll see that there is no longer Bermuda grass out there,” Ezell said. “They’re working on that turf now. They just delivered the turf two days ago, and it’ll start being rolled out soon. We’re hoping Mother Nature decides not to let it rain for another two weeks.”
The renovation includes installation of a synthetic turf playing surface, a resurfaced track, improved drainage, new sidewalks, perimeter fencing, and additional turf beyond each end zone. School officials estimate the total renovation cost at approximately $1.6 million, which comes in below the original $2 million budgeted for the project.
Ezell said new fencing around the track will also help with crowd control at athletic events.
He also said that the blueprints for the completed project on the stadium turf closely resemble the original design plans for the gym floor.
One question many Christian County fans continue asking is whether the Tigers will be able to open the football season at home on Aug. 21 against Cooper.
Ezell says that the decision has not yet been finalized, but contingency plans are already in place.
“We’re in constant communication with Cooper,” he said. “They are okay with hosting us if it’s not ready, and they are ready to rock and roll and be a part of the first-ever game on that field if ours is ready.”
He said district officials expect a decision well before the season opener so both schools and game officials have adequate time to prepare.
“We’re not ready to make that decision yet,” Ezell said. “But I would say within the next few weeks, we will have that final decision because it’s not fair to Cooper. They’re 400 miles away, and we want to make sure everybody has valid time to prepare.”
School officials have previously expressed optimism that the renovated Stadium of Champions could be ready in time for the Tigers’ inaugural game, although weather remains one of the biggest variables as crews complete installation of the new turf and track.
The boys’ soccer program is scheduled to open its season at Greenwood on August 11. Their home opener is scheduled for August 17 against Webster County.
The girls’ soccer program is scheduled to open its season on August 11 at Todd County Central. Their home opener is slated for August 15 against Logan County.
The football team is set to host Cooper on August 21 in its home opener at the Stadium of Champions.
