Biggest summer project in town

Even with work on a new police station underway, nobody in Rockdale is responsible for a summer project quite like Jeff Graham’s.

Graham is superintendent for Built Wright Construction which is building a new $5-million football field and renovating the field house at Tiger Field.

And they will do it by the end of August, if the weather cooperates, according to Graham.

TEAMWORK—That’s always been the plan, to use the new, re-oriented north-south, field for Tiger football this fall. And it remains the plan, according to Graham, who noted Built-Wright has accomplished many similar projects and knows its business.

It all boils down to having a team that fits together and a lot of hard work, he says.

“We’re working weekends, we’re working long hours, long days,” he said.

Teamwork is another key, including meshing well with the Rockdale ISD.

“You are going to have questions all the time,” Graham said. “Our relationship is such that we’re getting those questions answered quickly and not losing time in getting them resolved. That saves so much time on a project of this scale.”

He praised the liaison work of RISD Maintenance Director Lance Weidler and Supt. Dr. Denise Monzingo.

WILD CARD—The biggest wild card, of course, is the one over which nobody has any control, the weather.

However, Graham noted his crew even got on top of this weekend’s mostly unexpected 1.5 to 2-inch rainstorm overnight Sunday before it happened.

“We had runoff trenches dug when we knew rain was a possibility and we were able to get out here Monday morning and work,” he said. “Sure, it was muddy but that really helped.”

The old field, which had served as the home of the Tigers since 1934 came down quickly and in recent weeks the massive job of site preparation necessary to start work on the new field has been ongoing.

“I know people who drive by every day and see what’s going on think they don’t see a lot happening right now,” Graham said. “But this is an extremely important part of the project.”

“Just give us a couple of weeks and you’ll see some things happening that will be a lot more visible,” he said.

LAYOUT—Simultaneously with site prep for the new bleachers, press box, and track, Bland Construction crews are hard at work renovating the field house.

“Field houses” might be a more appropriate term, according to Weidler, who noted the structures were built in phases in different eras.

Weidler said the field house, and restroom-concession complexes on both ends will remain.

“The softball field press box will also remain,” he said. But the field will be reoriented with home plate in the northwest corner (by Murray Avenue),” he added.

BUSY AUGUST—It’s going to be a frenetic final month to the summer. Builders know there are factors beside the weather that are beyond their control.

“Some of the items for inside the field house are going to have to be ordered up to three months in advance, things like lockers,” Graham said. “So that part may be occupied a little later.”

But the goal remains to have the field ready for football by the end of August.

Of course there will be activity going on for most of that month, football practice beginning well in advance of the project’s end.

No problem. Weidler noted the traditional practice field just south of the field house has been left untouched and will be available throughout August.

“They’ve avoided taking any trucks through there, so it ought to be pretty much like it always is,” he said. “They’ve also got the baseball field outfield.”

NO DANCING—Graham said the public has been supportive during the project’s first month.

“We haven’t really had any major problems, just curious people,” he said. “We would like to remind everyone this is a construction site and is closed to the public.”

“It’s really been positive,” Graham concluded, “This community is really excited about getting these new facilities.”