Andalusia High School football opens on the road this week week, which gives construction crews a little bit of time to get renovations to a point at which the state building commission clears the renovated stadium for use.
Because construction won’t be complete for the first home game, Wyatt Sasser Construction (WSC) met with school officials, city officials and the media Tuesday morning to work out details for the game.
Below are some of the questions that were answered.
Q: With construction continuing, will the stadium be safe?
A: Areas still under construction – mainly the new plaza – will be fenced off, and include signage warning fans not to enter the area.
Temporary handicapped-accessible ramps are being placed at two entrances.
AHS principal Dr. Daniel Shakespeare has asked that twice the number of police officers as usual be on site. Representatives of the fire department will assist with security. Wyatt Sasser Construction personnel also will be on site.
Both construction and school officials have cautioned parents that children should not be allowed to run and play as freely in the stadium as they have in the past until construction is completed.
Q: Where will fans enter the stadium?
A: Andalusia fans should follow directional signs and enter at the entrance beside the auditorium. Visitors should park in the old bus barn area and enter the gate beside the field house.
Q: Can visitors get to the home side and Andalusia fans get to the visitors’ side?
A: Superintendent Ted Watson said, “It’s possible, but it’s not easy. It’s best if you enter on the side where you plan to sit.”
Q: Will there be concessions available?
A: The band boosters will have concessions in the field house concession stand for visitors, and either under tents, or under the new grandstands on the home side.
Q: Are restroom facilities available?
A: WSC said there will be Americans With Disabilities-compliant restrooms on both sides of the field.
Q: Since the press box is not ready, where will the announcers, radio announcers, and film crew be?
A: The PA system will be operated from the top of the new (reserved seating) grandstands.
WAAO will broadcast from a specially-outfitted broadcast trailer built for this season. The trailer will be set up on the home side of the field, to the left (west) of the pressbox under construction, on the top for the concrete bleachers. In Bulldog parlance, “near where the player entry/exit gate used to be.”
The athletic department’s filming operation will likely be in a scissor lift, or similar lift device.
Q: What do you mean, “where the player gate used to be?” Where will the Bulldogs enter the field?
A: It appears the Bulldogs will enter the stadium from the west end of the stadium, between the home stands and the new field house.
Q: What about the new video board?
A: The final test of the video and audio equipment are set for next Wed., Aug. 29. While the video board will be used more each week of the season
Q: Is reserved seating available?
A: In addition to the new grandstands erected in front of the pressbox, some fans elected to keep their traditional seats. Watson said most of the reserved seating is sold, but there might be a few seats available. Contact the office of AHS for information.
Q: Where will we park?
A: The City of Andalusia and/or Andalusia City Schools will release a directional map for traffic by next week. The city has recently taken down two old maintenance buildings on the bypass side of the stadium, and is preparing the area for parking.
In case you missed Tuesday’s paper, the school board has authorized the superintendent to negotiate the purchase of adjacent property to expand the AHS parking lot.
Q: When will the stadium be completed?
A: The plaza is expected to be completed in time for homecoming, Fri., Oct. 12. The pressbox likely will not be completed this football season.
Q: Will there be a dedication ceremony for the stadium?
A: The dedication is expected to be held after the completion of the pressbox.