An expansion and elevation plan for a new press box at Jerry Simmons Stadium in Jennings is another step closer to becoming a reality.

The Jeff Davis Parish School Board Ward II Committee unanimously approved the expansion and elevation of the press box during its meeting Tuesday. The matter now goes before the full board at its 10 a.m. meeting on Thursday at the James Ward Center for Excellence.

The approval is contingent upon receiving a zoning variance from the city of Jennings for the height increase.

The press box is part of a $3 million stadium renovation project which includes a new field house, concession stand, ticket booth and new facade.

“I personally talked to (Principal) Selena Gomez the next day after our meeting and I talked to Coach (Bret) Fuselier and both of them really want this to happen,” board member Greg Patterson said. “They want the elevation, and they also want the extra six feet that the committee talked about, making it a total of 42 foot.”

Architect Stephen Hotard said he has been in contact with the mayor’s office and is waiting to meet with the mayor to discuss the variance.

“I’m under the impression, if I just go meet with him, I think it’ll be okay,” Hotard said.

Board member Phillip Arceaneaux, who is the city’s inspector, said the variance is needed because the stadium is located within an A-2 residential zone which provides for a height restriction of 35 feet for any structure or building.

The press box will need to be raised eight to nine feet to avoid losing seats on the home side.

“We’re gonna be able to keep all of our seats so nobody will lose any seats at the stadium,” Patterson said. “We won’t have to tell anybody, hey, we got to relocate you because this press box is going to be wider and longer.”

Leaving the press box at its current height would result in losing  “upward of 60 seats,” Hotard said. Many of the seats were long-time season ticket holders.

The new press box will be wider and longer going from five foot wide, 30 foot long to eight foot wide, 42 foot long.

The estimated cost of expanding and elevating the press box is $215,000, pending final drawings.

Cost of the project is coming from Ward II bonds and other funding sources from Ward II.