Work will begin in the coming weeks on improvements to Pridgeon Stadium. Voters approved a $1.2 billion bond referendum last May that included upgrades to the stadium.[/caption]Work will begin in the coming weeks on improvements to Pridgeon Stadium. Voters approved a $1.2 billion bond referendum last May that included upgrades to the stadium.
Work is set to begin in the coming weeks on the first round of renovations to the Pridgeon Stadium complex off Windfern Road. The Cy-Fair ISD board of trustees approved the construction contract for the project April 20, which includes repaving the parking lot and drainage improvements.
District officials are working with PBK Architects to have the first phase of work complete by the start of football season in August, said Roy Sprague, associate superintendent for facilities, construction and support services.
"We'll come back to the board with another recommendation for phase two of the work so we can start that construction after football season this year," he said.
Phase two includes renovations to the stadium itself, such as upgrades to the press box, restrooms, concession stands, ticketing areas, parking lot and better access for the marching bands.
"Anyone who has been to a ball game at Pridgeon knows it's difficult to get out of the parking lot," PBK Architects partner Eric Smith said. "One reason is because there are very few access points to the surrounding roads, so we're going to clean up that access quite a bit."
After renovations, there will be access to the parking lot at three different areas off Cougar, Bobcat and Falcon roads, Smith said. The ticketing areas to the home and visitor sides will be upgraded as well, he said.
"Right now ticketing occurs on all four corners [of the stadium] and we will be centralizing that," Smith said. "There will be six [ticketing] windows and two wrap-around canopies on either side."
Improvements will also be made to the band plaza on the northern end of the stadium, making the facility safer and wider for marching bands to enter the field.
"As someone who danced on this field in the '80s and has children with the band and drill teams, I appreciate the safety factor," CFISD trustee Christine Hartley said. "I think this is a well thought-out plan, and it looks wonderful."
The renovations are funded, along with a second natatorium, through the district's $1.2 billion bond referendum that was approved by voters last May. The natatorium will be constructed on the southern end of the Pridgeon complex off Windfern Road.
The natatorium will feature a 50-meter pool with seating for more than 900 guests above the swimming deck along with restrooms, concessions, classroom and meet space and locker areas. The facility will have an open feel with a visual connection between the lobby and pool, Smith said.
"Folks will be able to stand in the lobby and view events going on inside the pool," he said.
Work on the renovations and natatorium is expected to wrap-up by mid-2016.
