Current situation
The first long-term need for the department is improvements at Lehnhoff Stadium, including capacity increases for the stadium that hosts Byron P. Steele II and Samuel Clemens football games, Athletic Director Scott Lehnhoff said.
“We hold about 6,500 over there, that’s about a 4A stadium in Texas, and it houses two 6A [teams],” Lehnhoff said.
Other needs for the stadium include more separation between spectators, participants and officials; added security fencing; and turf replacement and installation. Another field need at J. Frank Dobie Junior High is the relocation of concessions and restroom areas.
Much like the fine arts department, Lehnhoff also stated the need for a multipurpose activity center, a shaded area that is becoming more prominent to keep student athletes cool and able to practice.
“These stretch beyond athletics. ... We’re gonna try and fit as many people as we can under these things. ... It keeps [them] out of the heat,” Lehnhoff said.
What else?
The department brought forth ideas to augment participation among current student athletes, such as increasing the size of locker and weight rooms, as well as replacing existing weight room equipment. For specific sports, Lehnhoff brought up the possibility of a dedicated wrestling facility as a long-term need, also pointing to a request for additional tennis courts at Dobie Junior High.
An additional enhancement at Lehnhoff Stadium is the replacement of a video board and scoreboard, and various concourse improvements. Early estimates for Lehnhoff Stadium totaled $12.52 million, as reported by Community Impact in October. The October estimates called for $81.5 million in total athletic improvements, including $28.4 million marked for Samuel Clemens High School and another $22 million marked for Byron P. Steele II High School. Conversations regarding athletic department needs will continue during the Bond Planning Committee setup process.
