I haven't been there in years, but do remember it. Also, looked it up on the net. I remember the place holding a whole lot of people. It doesn't have a second deck, but it's deceptive. The single decks that it has on each side rises up very steep and tall, like......25 rows tall. I found something a while back that said this gym actually holds 2500. There's just a lot of space behind the basketball goals and there's no stands between the goal and the giant walls they have behind each goal. A player even with a lot of space can have perhaps a little bit more perception if there are seats behind the goal, but Lebanon doesn't have that. It's a really nice facility though.
As for local high school gyms and regulations, I had no idea about the 84 feet thing until reading the posts above. Makes sense. When I was very, very young, I recall some gym in rural southern West Virginia in the coalfields my dad took me to for watching a game. Northfork (was beating the hell) out of somebody, but the half court lines extended into the other teams 5 second line. I know lots of gyms in the way back in the day use to be like this, especially in rural parts of the country. A friend of mine from rural Western Kansas told me one time (he's older than me) that when he was in High School, they played a school where the roof of the gym was so low in the corners that you couldn't shoot from the side of the basket far, far back near the out of bounds line because the ball would hit the roof, and the home team knew this, so they would freely let the opposing player drive to the deep corner of the baseline and play off him by about 10 feet.
Old Montcalm gym was smallest I ever saw. It was a cracker box.
Heard there was a work stoppage at the Graham site, which is now pushing back the start time for Tazewell's project. Can anyone confirm. Something with DEQ.
They were working yesterday. Didn't go by there today so if there was a stoppage it was since yesterday after lunch.
Yall leave the "DEQ" dam$ Dairy Queen out of this! I love that place.
On a serious note. I recall many years ago back around 1990ish Graham High had a sinkhole or something like that which was so bad the school was closed for a few months and the High Schoolers had to go to the Middle School. It was all over the Bluefield Daily. I wonder if there is any chance that thing could rear its ugly head? I remember some Graham fans on this board many years ago saying their is a cave or cave system or something crazy like that which runs under the school or something like this. My memory is way vague on it.
I wouldn't imagine that is the problem. They built the new fieldhouse and new gyms a decade ago within 70 yards of the sinkhole that appeared in 1990.
Turf complete by August is my understanding and they’re getting a track around I believe. Stadium will come later financed by the community. 🤞🤞🤞🤞 Someone can correct if this is fake news! 😂😂😂😂
I've been told by multiple folks in the know the money will be there to finish the stadium.
What's the deal with Graham? Is it simply "a field?" Or.....are they building a new football stadium where Graham will play home football games there? Huge difference in a "new field" or "new track" and a new stadium which means...parking, seats, bleachers, lots of concrete for bleachers and concessions, etc. Anyone know if Graham is building a home football stadium or simply putting down turf for a practice field? Thanks in advance. By reading this thread, I think it's a new stadium, but I'm not all the way sure. Somebody wrote that Graham would be complete with their project by August? If it's August, that sounds to me like a new "field" and only that, not a new "stadium." It seems a new stadium wouldn't be anywhere close to being done by August.....if it's a new stadium.
For 2024......it's a field with lights a soccer field and a track. Beyond that.......it's going to end up a stadium. It's just a matter of when. They arent spending a million dollars for a practice field. Most likely 25 or 26 Graham will be playing most games on campus.
I misunderstood you earlier. TCPS awarded contracts in the fall to contractors, not contracts to a design firm. If construction has begun at Graham and the project has a competent contractor, work should be completed by summer unless we experience something biblical weather wise.
That doesn't mean Graham, Tazewell and Richlands were designed simultaneously and doesn't mean they will be constructed simultaneously either. Each school will be submitted to DEQ as a separate project for review. Each will have a different and unique timeline through that process. Graham is obviously past that process but the other two may very well not be. Especially if DEQ requested changes to the original design, which would begin the clock all over again for a second review. DEQ could grant TCPS permission to bid each of the three projects based on initial design with the caveat, no construction shall begin prior to certain changes being approved through DEQ for the other two schools. That could explain why Tazewell and Richlands have approved a contractor but work hasn't begun. If no public funds are being used for the projects, TCPS would be free to hire whomever they choose without having to go through competitive bids. Which could also explain why contractors have been hired but work hasn't commenced.
Either way, it's a much more lengthy process than most people realize.
Bids for all 3 jobs went out last July I believe. And was approved in either August or Sept. Can't remember which it was. But was told all 3 will be complete by August.
I misunderstood you earlier. TCPS awarded contracts in the fall to contractors, not contracts to a design firm. If construction has begun at Graham and the project has a competent contractor, work should be completed by summer unless we experience something biblical weather wise.
That doesn't mean Graham, Tazewell and Richlands were designed simultaneously and doesn't mean they will be constructed simultaneously either. Each school will be submitted to DEQ as a separate project for review. Each will have a different and unique timeline through that process. Graham is obviously past that process but the other two may very well not be. Especially if DEQ requested changes to the original design, which would begin the clock all over again for a second review. DEQ could grant TCPS permission to bid each of the three projects based on initial design with the caveat, no construction shall begin prior to certain changes being approved through DEQ for the other two schools. That could explain why Tazewell and Richlands have approved a contractor but work hasn't begun. If no public funds are being used for the projects, TCPS would be free to hire whomever they choose without having to go through competitive bids. Which could also explain why contractors have been hired but work hasn't commenced.
Either way, it's a much more lengthy process than most people realize.
Correct. Richlands is only turf replacement though I was told.
EPA is called DEQ in Virginia. Department of Environmental Quality. No project over 10,000 square feet involving disturbance of existing ground conditions in Virginia can go to construction without a permit from them.
If school board just approved the contracts for design and construction last fall, design has barely even begun at this point. The engineers have barely had enough time to get survey data back to begin design. If this is indeed the case, construction will not begin before 2025. What was once a 6-month process to get from field survey to construction is now 18-months. Especially considering most state agencies in charge of review and issuance of necessary permits to go to construction are still working from home.
I'm not involved in the Tazewell County projects but I've been directly involved in a number of turf installations over the years in other localities.
All I can tell you is drive by Graham high school. Work began 1st week of January. It will be complete by summer.
I applaud your enthusiasm but my 25+ years of experience in the engineering world tell me, everything reasonable goes out the window when design and construction involve state and federal agencies.
Tree removal, sediment basins, and retaining walls all require DEQ permits before construction can begin. DEQ review of construction plans is a minimum, 9-month process. More often than not, it's longer. If they require changes to the plans, the calendar starts all over again.
You are correct. They've had the money for 2 years for the Graham project. The reason it had not started before now was the state and the EPA. Work in Bluefield has begun. Work in Tazewell and Richlands was approved by school board in the fall. Contracts are approved and should start soon.
I thought the Tazewell project included moving and modifying the visitors bleachers along with a new track which will require more expansion. I'm not certain about the depth of the Graham project I'm sure it will take longer.
They are having to cut trees and work on the drainage pond as well. Tazewell I think involves a retaining wall. Either way shouldn't be long.
I hope I'm wrong I really do because it could be a great addition but judging by the things I'm seeing out there currently and the pace up at Graham I'd be shocked if we aren't wondering when they are starting still in July or August. I just don't have my hopes up.
Lots more work to do at Graham. Tazewell shouldn't take nearly as long,
Most of this is complete rubbish. First when you do a true financial assessment Tazewell County comes out way ahead renting Mitchell Stadium. It costs way more in primary and secondary costs to have a stadium. Think insurance, security, utilities, maintenance, etc. Second. Graham and Bluefield alternate first pick for games. Last year Bluefield had to move two dates to accommodate Graham and Graham had to move one date. Next season there are once again three conflicts. If that remains Graham will move two and Bluefield one. There was a time 25 or so years ago when neither paid rent. It is true at that time Bluefield always got first pick. But when Graham started paying rent that they insisted on equal access to dates and the home side. They were granted those requests. Third. Is Graham going to pay rent for the one home game with Bluefield every other year? Is Graham just going to let Bluefield be home every year and use WV Referees and rules? Is Graham going to let Bluefield be home every year and let Bluefield keep all of the gate receipts instead of splitting the gate every year like they do now?
Now having said that the soccer field issue is a valid point. The soccer team generates almost no revenue so it does make sense to look for an alternative to the gouging the soccer complex charges.
You might think it's rubbish, but it's not. Bluefield WV is not fiscally responsible which is why the rent keeps raising. When the turf was put down in 2007 the city of Bluefield was charging 35k a year in rent. That money from tazewell and mercer county school boards were supposed to be put in an account that was 70k yearly for turf replacement. I was told that personally by the director of parks and rec. When it came time to replace the turf the city had spent the money and had to get the money from the schott foundation. Then they raised the rent more. Not to mention they take 20% of concessions from the band. They arent going to miss Graham. They have BU and BSU now. You can doubt it if you wish but it's going to happen.
Mitchell Stadium, despite its history and popularity contest victory, has always been a money pit for Graham and TCPS. Graham could have already had a stadium but they just had to play up there. They arent even the first pick for games. Its Bluefield High School's stadium. It's like living in the same house with woman whose previous husband lived there, never does feel like yours. They always had the perfect setup at the high school but never built it. Play the Beaver/Graham game at Mitchell and have your own home
I heard if Graham gets a stadium that the funding will need to come from the community. There are no funds allocated from the school board, town, or county. I wonder what price tag we’re looking at and if enough donations can be collected to make it a reality.
Yes, on Richlands field, get the color right time, lol.
I've heard the money will be found. It's just a matter of time now. I was told between mitchell and the soccer complex they've paid in excess of 80k. You could keep paying that......or invest that into your own facility. Besides......they just hit us hard on property taxes. There will be money.
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Updated football fields
in SWVA Football
Posted
Correct color. Looks great. Hopefully ours turns out as nice.