Jacksonville ISD nears completion of Tomato Bowl renovations, enters sponsorship agreement with UT Health East Texas
Published 3:52 pm Monday, February 11, 2019
- Renovations are taking place at Jacksonville's historic Tomato Bowl football stadium on Feb. 1, 2019. (Jessica Payne/freelance)
Majestic is the word that comes to mind for Jacksonville ISD Superintendent Chad Kelly when he surveys the nearly complete renovations at the city’s historic Tomato Bowl stadium.
Not only is the stadium undergoing a massive overhaul, but it also has a new community sponsor — UT Health East Texas.
Trending
The renovations to the stadium are part of a $20 million bond package passed with overwhelming community support in 2017. About $16 million of that is going into a total renovation of the stadium, with the rest committed to the now complete renovation of the high school’s career and technology education building.
“It’s coming along so well,” Kelly said. “I’m really proud of all the work that’s been done.”
The project is set to wrap up near the beginning of April with graduation set for May 24 and a grand opening on June 7, featuring country music artist and Jacksonville native Neal McCoy in concert and fireworks.
The field has been ripped out and shifted about 40 yards to the east with new turf expected to be installed within weeks, weather permitting.
The concrete seating, which was poured in 1938 has been removed and replaced with safer and more accessible new seating. Kelly said the steps are now about 6 inches high and the stadium is fully accessible for people with disabilities.
Seating has gone from about 6,000 to 8,553. Aside from the seating, the press box will be the most noticeable change. It has been rebuilt and expanded with part of it visible from outside of the stadium.
Trending
Nearly all of the Works Progress Administration stonework that the stadium is known for has been preserved.
A new scoreboard also has been installed and will bear the name of the district’s new community partner.
The Jacksonville ISD Board of Trustees approved a five-year, $50,000 sponsorship agreement with UT Health East Texas during the board’s January meeting. The agreement will also see UT Health East Texas provide an athletic trainer for the district.
In January, the stadium was named to TexasFootball.com’s Bucket List of “must see stadiums” in Texas.
TWITTER: @TMT_Cory