THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 9, 1994 TAG: 9412070130
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 100 lines
A LARGE GROUP of Wilson High School supporters, including athletic officials, parents of students and athletes, is seeking a stadium at the Elmhurst Lane school.
The group will present a request for a $786,200 stadium at the next city council meeting Tuesday, Dec. 13.
The cost estimate was made by Waller, Todd and Sadler architects, the firm that built the new Oscar Smith stadium.
The stadium at Wilson would be built around the existing practice field, which is used for junior varsity games.
Since Manor High School opened in 1971 and was converted to Wilson, all the ``home'' football games have been played at other sites - Churchland, Cradock and Frank D. Lawrence Stadium.
According to the architects' plan, the stadium could be built for $549,800 with $236,400 needed for concession buildings and a scoreboard. (See attached chart for cost estimate).
The stadium would include seating for 6,000 with a press box, a four-foot fence around the playing field, restrooms and lighting.
``This certainly has my support,'' said Wilson High School athletic director Dave Willett. ``It would be a tremendous boost to our football program and unquestionably would increase our attendance at games. We're the only Southeastern District school without a stadium of its own.
``This would be very similar to the situation at Western Branch, where so many of the people can walk in to the games.''
Willett pointed out the overall cost actually could be less than the projected figures.
``Our present field would have to be sodded and regraded, but we have a track and we have adequate storm drainage. If Lawrence Stadium is to be demolished and a new stadium built, we would be happy to have the lights from that stadium.''
Willett said it was his understanding that the existing tree line adjacent to the present field would not be touched. ``(Architect) John Waller tells me we could have the prettiest campus site for a stadium he has ever seen,'' added Willett.
The existing home team bleachers would be moved to the visitors side of the field, providing 1,000 seats. There would be 5,000 permanent seats with a large press box on the home side.
Around the existing track, a 42- or 48-inch chain-link fence would be erected.
There would be concession stands with restrooms at each end of the home-team bleachers. The scoreboard would be built at the north end of the field.
The plans also call for 10-foot wide concrete walkways to a pair of gates at each end of the home-side bleachers.
``We think it would be very appropriate that the stadium be named the Ace Parker Stadium,'' added Willett.
``Parker is a graduate of Wilson and the only player from the school in the college and pro football halls of fame.''
Parker lives a short distance from the school. MEMO: COST ESTIMATES FOR WILSON STADIUM
STADIUM
5,000-seat bleachers with press box $271,800
Bleacher foundations $64,000
Relocate existing bleachers $20,000
Foundation for relocated bleachers $5,000
Regrade and sod existing football field $36,000
4-foot fence around field $7,500
Sidewalks $10,000
Waterline $3,500
Sanitary line and lift pump $12,000
Landscaping $5,000
Miscellaneous site work $5,000
Lighting football field (4) $110,000
TOTAL $549,800
CONCESSION BUILDINGS
Foundation $6,500
Concession floor slab $4,800
Structural steel $7,000
Masonry $50,400
Precast concrete $15,600
Roofing/insulation $10,500
Doors/gates/ticket windows/hardware $18,000
HVAC/Plumbing $57,600
Electrical $33,000
Concession equipment $20,000
Scoreboard $10,000
Signage $3,000
TOTAL $236,400
TOTAL OVERALL COST $786,200 ILLUSTRATION: Drawing
Wilson High School supporters will present a request for a $786,200
stadium at the next city council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
by CNB