By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Passers-by at Union City’s War Memorial Stadium are starting to take notice.
And for good reason.
A major upgrade to the home side that will ultimately bring the 73-year-old facility into compliance is nearing completion and has drawn rave reviews from those who take the tour down High School Drive.
Construction of new home seating and a brand-new press box has recently been completed in the $1.5M project, with attention now turning to installing a state-of-the-art lighting system and new fencing.
The much-needed makeover of the facility began in January and will hopefully be completed by the end of April – weather permitting – according to school officials.
War Memorial Stadium first opened on the UCHS campus in 1952. It was previously renovated prior to the 1984 season, with the bleachers repainted before the 2014 campaign.
Capacity on the home side is expected to be around 2,600 – about 300 more than the previous seating.
“We’re extremely proud of the project so far,” Union City Schools Director Wes Kennedy said. “Obviously, the biggest thing was to become compliant in accessibility. That’s been accomplished.
“It’s clean, it’s inviting and accommodating for our people, and it fits hand-in-hand with the other improvements we’ve made at the stadium in recent years.”
The facility upgrade follows the installation of a new six-lane track surrounding the field three years ago and a video board that accompanies the scoreboard, which was installed a few years before that.
Kennedy said a handful of “touch-up” duties, including concrete walkways, screens along those sidewalks under the bleachers, and landscaping, will be completed over the next several weeks.
Photo: The new press box being installed at the stadium.