Livingston athletics will be back in a familiar venue when the football season begins next month. In a social media post to the Livingston ISD community, superintendent Dr. Jeff Pack informed all that the new stadium under construction on campus will not be completed.
Thursday was the first time Pack had been told the stadium would not be on time. A month ago, the district was informed of a discrepancy – miscalculation or miscommunication – about the height of the stadium’s press box.
Sturdisteel, the group in Hewitt, Texas, responsible for designing and manufacturing the grandstands, are one of very few organizations that produce spectator seating. The grandstand design was not going to connect to the press box, as originally agreed upon. A redesign was necessary and the district was presented with several options.
“We picked the one that was going to be the best looking, but also be able to get us on time for the season,” Pack said of LISD’s choice.
Claycomb Associates Architects from Dallas is the company that has served as the project’s lead. The superintendent said they were asked frequently for status updates, in addition to regular monthly meetings. Trying to confirm an exact date of completion, Pack said the district “kept getting the runaround.
“In the meeting about a month ago, again they said, ‘Everything’s ready to go.’ Basically, what we did was, there was going to be an extra piece for the grandstands to connect to the press box. We were full speed ahead and had assumed since we ended the last football season that this was going to be done.”
Additional problems began last year with the depth of a storm drain and drilling to set the press box that have caused delays.
“That is just another example of things that happen whenever you are doing a project like this,” Pack said. “There are always unforeseen things that happen, but we were told, ‘We are still within the window; we can still get everything manufactured and done in time.’”
The superintendent said the Rusk, Texas, construction company Barry and Clay have been “very good,” pointing out that they could only work within the parameters given.
Livingston ISD will not receive the product paid for in the time agreed upon years ago. Pack acknowledged that a conversation would take place between he and representatives from Claycomb. An email was sent Friday morning stating his desire to do so.
“We were promised that we were going to be done in time, and we need some sort of compensation. Obviously, there’s a whole redesign and extra materials and we’ve already discussed that. That was not our mistake and we’re not paying for it. This much of a delay that we are not going to be in there for the season – we need to talk about some sort of compensation.”
Fortunately, Livingston ISD has been proactive in maintaining the grounds at Lion Stadium. While not the first choice, it will serve as home for one more year. Soccer played at the stadium in the spring and crews are already out, making sure the playing surface will be in shape for kickoff Sept. 4 versus Anahuac.
“Prepare for the worst, hope for the best,” Pack said of maintaining the field after soccer season. “We’ve been working on it as a backup plan, because every day that went by, it was getting closer and closer to the wire.”
Pack agreed that the additional funds for upkeep necessary on the grass surface should also be compensated.
There’s also still no date provided for when the new stadium will be complete, something he hopes to remedy in the planned phone conversation.
“It’s so frustrating. One of the things I said in my email is that the anger in the community is brewing. We’re definitely disappointed. We’re definitely frustrated and angry.
“It was an interesting juxtaposition yesterday. I got that news, then immediately went to walk the elementary school for all of the “Meet the Teachers.” Seeing all the kids and their parents and how the kids were so excited to see their teachers and friends, that positive experience cushioned the negative experience that just happened. Really, that’s what we’re here for. We are here for the kids. We want nice facilities and a nice football stadium, but it is so much more than that. It is about the people and making sure we take care of the kids to have an excellent education and to prepare them for whatever they want to do in the future.”
In a statement on social media Friday morning, Livingston Athletic Director Tucker Carter said his department and staff will move forward in a positive manner.
“While this news is disappointing, it does not change who we are. Adversity has a way of revealing character. We cannot allow our circumstances to define us. Whether we take the field in a brand-new stadium or in our tradition-rich home, the pride of Lion Country remains the same.
“Friday nights in Texas are about so much more than the venue. They are about a community coming together to support its students ... Facilities are important, and we all look forward to the day our new stadium opens. Until then, our mission remains unchanged. We will compete with passion, represent our school with class, and continue building a culture of ROAR that makes Lion Country proud.”
