Jeff Davis School Board moves to upgrade football stadium

Published 8:39 am Saturday, October 21, 2023

The Jeff Davis Parish School Board has taken the first steps toward improvements and upgrades to the Jerry Simmons football stadium in Jennings.

The school board agreed Thursday to advertise for improvements to both the Jerry Simmons Stadium and the James Ward Center of Excellence, formerly James Ward Elementary School, both on Shankland Avenue in Jennings.

Superintendent John Hall said the stadium project is still in the early planning stages, but will likely consist of a multi-phase plan to improve the stadium which was built in 1939.

“We will know more once we have a plan, but as of right now there is a blank slate,” Hall said, noting it is up to the Ward II board members to consider the plans.

The committee will meet at 4:45 p.m. Monday to discuss the improvements.

“We need to look at what the need is, how much the cost is and if there are funds available,” he said. “We are going to have to put some time into the planning stages. The stadium is part of our school system that everyone drives by and looks at, so we want to make sure that we put a lot of thought into it and what the appearance of it is going to look like.”

The majority of the project cost is expected to come from Ward II sales tax funds, Jennings schools contingency funds and the remaining construction funds from Ward II school projects.“We’ve done work at Jennings High School and continue to work at Jennings Elementary,” Hall said. “We wanted to take care of the schools first to make sure they had everything they needed before we started the stadium project.”

Earlier in the meeting, architect Steve Hotard updated board members on current projects, including plans for a field replacement project for the stadium.

“The field will basically be completely torn up and replaced,” Hotard said.

Bids for the field replacement project could be let by early November. The project will include removing the excessing sod, installing new drainage and minor sidewalk improvements and fence work, Hotard said.

The project to replace the field could begin in early 2024 and would allow for a new field to be in place by the start of the next football season.

The second-phase of the project is likely to include construction of a fieldhouse, a new concession stand, restrooms and a new press box. Security upgrades to include new fencing and lighting, along with a new bus parking area and a new front facade are also planned.

“Most of the upgrades to the football stadium are safety oriented concerns,” Hall said. “The lack of a fieldhouse or a place for the kids to go when bad weather hits or when there is any kind of shelter-in-place, is not there. That is actually a safety feature by adding the field house and fencing needs to be improved there.”

He said the press box is getting to where it is not safe anymore. Input for the new press box will be obtained from principals, coaching staff and others who use the facility.

Improvements to the James Ward Center of Excellence will focus on the school’s gym which is used by the community.  Plans include gutter work, painting and window upgrades.