Out with the old and in with the new.
Come football season, Happy Valley fans will have new stadium seating to enjoy while watching games from the home side of the Warriors’ gridiron.
The project, which has a funding of $306,000, began in February with the destruction of the old home side stands that were built in the 1970s. The press box was left standing and will still be used during events at the field. The new stands are set to be completed by Aug. 1 well before the Warriors’ first home game on Sept. 9 against Unicoi County.
Unlike the old stadium, the new seats will be metal and comprise of one big section instead of three smaller separated sections. The new bleachers will accommodate more people, but the number of how many is unknown. However, Happy Valley athletic director Matt Estep was able to confirm that there will be roughly 98 reserveable spots.
“I think it will be better for us in the long run,” Estep said. “We are going to have more seating. Our stands were in a rough condition any ways, so we needed the upgrade.”
The idea to build new stands came about as school officials planned renovations to make the old football stadium more handicap accessible.
“Cost wise, it was feasible to just build an entirely new home side as it was to just renovate it,” Estep said.
The visitor stands will be renovated by widening the wheelchair ramps to make them more handicap accessible.
“We are very excited,” Estep said. “For our fans it is going to be nicer. Should be more comfortable. We just needed new seats.”