Matt Vines
Football fans, whether cheering for the homestanding Logansport Tigers or the visitors, have enjoyed a first-class experience at Logansport. Thanks to DeSoto Parish District 1 voters passing a $23 million bond proposal this past November, of which football stadium upgrades were a part, construction on the home and visiting stands is rounding into form.
The Logansport Tiger Football Facebook page has posted photos throughout the construction phases that show gradual rise of the stands on newly poured concrete foundations. “It’s definitely a motivation factor for everybody, whether it’s myself, the staff or the players,” said Logansport head coach Kevin Magee. “They just set the press box on top this morning.
“When I started in this position 11 years ago, I never imagined something like this would come to fruition. But it goes to show you the community support of this high school, and it’s very humbling to know that people thought enough of this school to vote for the bond.”
The football stadium upgrade has been a point of discussion in recent years after some features of the stadium were part of the original 1952 structure. The new construction addresses compliance issues with ADA (The Americans with Disabilities Act) and will include improved restrooms, concessions, seating and parking areas.
The stands should be complete in about a week, with the new scoreboard, jumbotron and sound system in place in the next three weeks. There’s plenty of time for construction to finish before the opening home game against Kinder in Week 5 on Oct. 4.
“I might be most excited about the sound system because I think that will really change the dynamic of what people experience here on Friday nights,” Magee said. “We planned our schedule that way intentionally just because there’s always the potential for the construction timeline to be affected by a number of factors.
Football is far from the main benefactor.
The bond provides funds to consolidate the Logansport campuses’ mobile classrooms and build a central corridor with fewer access points, which improves school security. Other improvements include gymnasium renovations that will update its façade and expand its lobby. The band program will also have a renovated practice space that provides an acoustic benefit.
The football stadium renovation was part of Phase 1 of the construction plan, with other phases taking place over a multi-year period. “The school improvements were badly needed,” Magee said. “Once all of this is finished, the look and feel of the campus will reflect the amazing job that our teachers are doing in the classroom every day.”