Lamar close to begin remodeling football stadium, rebuilding field house

[Guest coachacola]

Looks like it'll be another month before they get started on renovations:

Southeast Texas Construction Corp. has been retained as the primary contractor, and Simmons said work could begin as early as May 25 on the installation of field turf in the former Cardinal Stadium, now called Provost Umphrey Stadium. The target date to begin extensive stadium renovations and the demolition of Higgins Field House at the south end of the 17,000-seat facility is June 1.

In addition to the renovations and the construction of the two-story, 44,000-square-foot field house, the project includes the construction of a $3 million soccer/softball complex off Rolfe Christopher Boulevard near Vincent-Beck Stadium.

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/local/lamar_close_to_begin_remodeling_football_stadium__rebuilding_field_house_04-24-2009.html

Hmmm, no mention of private suites or club seating.  I wonder if that's still part of the plan.

[KFDM COOP]

Let's get it going!

[AJ25]

no joke !

[BearWolf]

haven"t heard anything recently, any word.

[Guest coachacola]

haven"t heard anything recently, any word.

Not yet.  I guess they figure they'll get everybody excited about football by not saying a word about it.  Don't try emailing the SID, AD, assistant AD because they'll just ignore your emails.  Maybe they'll put a big tent over the stadium while they do the renovations so nobody will see what they're doing!!

[BearWolf]

2010 football season is not far away. i figure something needs to get going no later than a month from now are we will not finish new construction in time.

[AJ25]

i doubt they finish

[AJ25]

i was passing today, no construction on the field or stadium yet. but i did see a bright spot.. they were working on underground plumbing VERY close to old higgins field house.. that can only be a good sign!

[AshlyHasBeen]

I'm getting nervous about some "rumors" I've heard from a couple of people going on with Lamar football that's all I will say.

[Guest coachacola]

I'm getting nervous about some "rumors" I've heard from a couple of people going on with Lamar football that's all I will say.

The Board of Regents has approved the design documents for Cardinal Village V for over $18 million.  Aren't those dorms going to be for athletics?  I don't put much stock into rumors, but the longer LU keeps silent on this, we'll keep hearing even more rumors.

[Guest mffl]

I'm getting nervous about some "rumors" I've heard from a couple of people going on with Lamar football that's all I will say.

Oh you can't drop one like that then not explain.. thats torture!!

[Guest coachacola]

On May 21st the Texas State University System approved $155,000,000 worth of revenue bonds so the money should be there for Lamar to start renovations.  I wish someone in the media would start asking questions and put some pressure on Lamar to tell us what's going on!!

[AshlyHasBeen]

Hmm sounds like a good idea why haven't I thought of it jk. I'm looking into some stuff one good sign though my buddies are shooting a commercial for Lamar football this week so I hope all the rumors can be put to rest soon. The stuff I was hearing said football could be pushed back a year THAT IS NOT OFFICIAL so don't tell people or freak out LOL!

[UNLV]

BISD is starting from scratch and BISD is confident they will be ready for fall 2010 football, with a cooler looking stadium.

[AJ25]

lamar's stadium will be a joke compared to bisd's. i think lamar knows it too..

[LUFAN]

How is the stadium going to be a joke??? It will have more seating and nicer ammenities.... Remember BMT had to dumb down Galena Parks stadium to keep costs down... If they do everything as planned it LU's stadium will be much better overall.        Plus it is going to be easily expanded... and hopefully LU sells enough tickets to force the issue.

Our field house will also be way way better as well as the training facilities.

[AJ25]

i've played in better highschool stadiums than lamar's, thats how..

Deerpark, humble, goosecreek.

all with the same capacity as lamar's. maybe a couple thousand less.

i don't see how the ammenities will be any better?

they are getting a new scoreboard, like every other highschool.

the BRIGHT spot of lamar is the new field house.

they're putting down field turf, just like every other highschool.

they have the same concrete bleachers (which do look good) as every highschool stadium in the houston area.

most houston schools and MAYBE PN-G have better pressboxes.

YES lamar does have room to expand, but NO they aren't doing going to do it for atleast a few years.. that's how it is a joke. and i do know finances is the reason they aren't doing it, but until they expand it, it will remain a glorified highschool stadium.

Joke might be a bad word.. but it's not a college facility if you ask me. maybe something will change.

[Ruckdad]

I can't speak to deer park or goose creek - but HUMBLE!?  When is the last time you were in Turner Stadium. That place is falling down!

[AJ25]

when was the last time you've seen cardinal stadium?? there is grass and weeds growing in the bleachers! lol

[Guest coachacola]

when was the last time you've seen cardinal stadium?? there is grass and weeds growing in the bleachers! lol

That's why they are spending $11 million in upgrades on it.  If they can ever get started on the renovations I think people will be surprised at the transformation.  They had originally budgeted about $7.5 million for the athletic complex but they are going to spend close to $15 million on it, including VIP suites and club seating.  I think they are keeping the press box small so they can add upper decks later, otherwise I can't see how they could expand the stadium to 36K, which Dr. Simmons has stated they could.

[AJ25]

i'm not doubting any of that..

but that's why I said it will remain a highshool stadium (glorified) until they expand.

it can easily go 2 decks on both sides. being so close to the freeway is going to keep the homeside from expanding all that much though.

[Guest mffl]

Why expand it until we know we are going to fill it up? It makes sense what they're doing.. everybody has their own opinion, but if you don't agree with what they are doing, then don't support it. There are plenty of people in the community that are.

[AJ25]

go read all my past posts.. what makes you think I don't support them?

All i said was their stadium won't be a good college stadium until they expand..

I have friends that will be playing for them, so I am definately supporting them.

this isn't about the team, this is about the stadium.

and I do agree, they shouldn't expand yet.

[Guest coachacola]

Lamar didn't have the money to expand even if they wanted to.  But since Lamar is starting out in the SLC, they'll have one of the larger and nicer stadiums.  Texas State is spending around $17 million on their stadium for suites and a nice facade, but even they are not expanding their stadium just yet.  I do agree with AJ25 a little.  To me a college stadium is a lot larger than a high school stadium, and from a recruiting stand point, why would a high school kid want to play in a stadium that's not much larger or nicer than their high school stadium?

[AJ25]

Which everyone understands. This economy sucks.. just have to do as much as you can. sounds like lamar is spending every dollar perfectly. but like i said, once they are able to expand, this stadium will be great!