-
Plans to expand seating and press boxes at the Jacksboro ISD baseball and softball fields were approved by the school board at their regular meeting Monday, July 21. Photo/Ashley Anderson -
Contingency funds from the 2023 school bond project would pay for upgrades at the JISD baseball and softball fields. The district said it would address issues at the field, including adding more spectator seating and increasing visibility from the press boxes. Photo/Ashley Anderson -
Visibility down the first and third baselines is limited in the press boxes at Jacksboro ISD baseball and softball fields. Plans were approved last week to use bond contingency funds to install new press boxes and grandstand spectator seating at both fields. Photo/Ashley Anderson -
A project was approved for renovations at the Jacksboro ISD baseball and softball fields. Work is expected to begin in 2026 to install new bleachers and a press box at each field. Photo/Ashley Anderson
As Jacksboro ISD’s 2023 bond projects near completion, the district approved a plan Monday, July 21 to use contingency funds to install new bleachers and press boxes at the baseball and softball fields.
JISD Superintendent Brad Burnett said neither field had adequate spectator bleacher seating and the current press boxes were too small. The single paned window on the front of the press boxes also restricted the view down the first and third baselines.
A change order was issued to Gallagher Construction, who oversees the bond project that included grandstand seating and more accommodating press boxes.
The project would require additional concrete pours and electrical work along with the installation.
“We promised our voters we would address softball and baseball seating at both of our fields,” Burnett said. “Based on our contingency balances it's safe to say we can do that.”
Total balances in contingency funds from the bond project sat around $1.6 million, with the project estimated to be completed for under $500,000.
Southern Bleachers of Graham was awarded the contract with a base proposal of $333,250. Southern Bleachers previously installed the district’s football stadium bleachers.
The district received a higher bid from Jacksboro company MartCo MFG for the construction, but JISD board members wanted to save on the overall cost of the project.
“[Southern Bleachers] is a very reputable company and fairly local,” Burnett said. “I’d love to stay local, but we’re trying to stretch as many pennies and dollars as we can with these other costs—the site demo, the electrical…and the concrete.”
The board considered adding shade cloths to the new design, but Burnett said he was being conservative with funds when making the proposal.
“We have those funds available and that’s something we can look into now,” Burnett said.
The project has a lead time of about 150 days, putting the start into the first of the year, but Burnett said it would most likely be a summer 2026 project.
While construction work would not hinder athletes from using the fields, spectators would have nowhere to watch the game and the area could be cluttered and hazardous.
“I was hoping to be able to do it this fall. Even though we’re taking action now, I don’t think it will be ready before baseball and softball season,” Burnett said.
- Log in to post comments
