Graham Stadium

[Gridiron60]

2 minutes ago, EH31 said:

It’s not extortion because the city of Bluefield isn’t forcing Tazewell County to do anything. 

Chris Stacy has mentioned multiple times, including once in the last week, that Tazewell County has other options for Graham to play football games at.  
 

The city of Bluefield is just showing their cards and testing Tazewell County’s willingness to pay. 

Oh yeah , it’s no secret the GMen could play home games at Tazewell. Won’t that be fun! 😂 The bottomline is the kids are the ones to suffer because of childish adults. 

[EH31]

7 minutes ago, Gridiron60 said:

Oh yeah , it’s no secret the GMen could play home games at Tazewell. Won’t that be fun! 😂 The bottomline is the kids are the ones to suffer because of childish adults. 

I agree with you on that note but after what has transpired over this past year this situation was unfortunately inevitable. 

[Real Sasquatch]

I think somebody at Graham needs to get their story out about the need of an on-site facility for a 6 time state champion and start a Gofundme or something.  Maybe the "G-men" could appeal to the New York Giants.

[Mountain Football]

47 minutes ago, Real Sasquatch said:

I think somebody at Graham needs to get their story out about the need of an on-site facility for a 6 time state champion and start a Gofundme or something.  Maybe the "G-men" could appeal to the New York Giants.

The Giants are broke too. Not to mention our colors are based off the Redskins!😂

[Real Sasquatch]

35 minutes ago, Mountain Football said:

The Giants are broke too. Not to mention our colors are based off the Redskins!😂

Should have gotten more out of that Barkley trade...

[Mountain Football]

If TCPS is asking for a 1 year contract with Bluefield. Are they thinking Graham's stadium will be completed at the end of that year? 

[Gridiron60]

2 hours ago, Mountain Football said:

If TCPS is asking for a 1 year contract with Bluefield. Are they thinking Graham's stadium will be completed at the end of that year? 

I mean if they had the funds, it could be completed possibly. They need bleachers, lighting, pressbox , concession/restroom; they wouldn’t necessarily need a visitors’ locker room since some schools don’t have one. I’m guessing funds are the issue at this point. I was under the impression, they already had plans drawn up. Perhaps , school board just wants a year to year contract until they figure things out but this is just conjecture on my part. 

[EH31]

2 hours ago, Mountain Football said:

If TCPS is asking for a 1 year contract with Bluefield. Are they thinking Graham's stadium will be completed at the end of that year? 

“Stacy advised the contract for the use of Mitchell Stadium was up for renewal. He advised the updated usage agreement would be $62,400.00 for the first year and would increase by four percent (4%) each subsequent year of the five-year contract. Mr. Woodard stated since the school division was not allowed carryover, he would rather approve the agreement one year at a time. Board members agreed with Mr. Woodard and directed Dr. Stacy to return to the negotiating table with the City of Bluefield for a one-year contract to be brought to the May School Board meeting.”

[Mountain Football]

6 minutes ago, EH31 said:

“Stacy advised the contract for the use of Mitchell Stadium was up for renewal. He advised the updated usage agreement would be $62,400.00 for the first year and would increase by four percent (4%) each subsequent year of the five-year contract. Mr. Woodard stated since the school division was not allowed carryover, he would rather approve the agreement one year at a time. Board members agreed with Mr. Woodard and directed Dr. Stacy to return to the negotiating table with the City of Bluefield for a one-year contract to be brought to the May School Board meeting.”

Well that explains that. At least if they do it on a year to year basis it will give us something to kick around on here.

I wonder what it costs to operate that stadium on a per game basis? Im sure the lighting isn't cheap.

My next question would be. Can they guarantee toilet paper in the bathrooms and at least one functioning toilet in each restroom for that $62,400.00? 

[Gridiron60]

3 hours ago, Mountain Football said:

Well that explains that. At least if they do it on a year to year basis it will give us something to kick around on here.

I wonder what it costs to operate that stadium on a per game basis? Im sure the lighting isn't cheap.

My next question would be. Can they guarantee toilet paper in the bathrooms and at least one functioning toilet in each restroom for that $62,400.00? 

The problem is it won’t be $62,400 unless they agree to a five year contract. Three years will be $108,000 per year. Surely for $108,000 we could get toilet paper, paper towels, & two working toilets. 😂

[1inStripes]

LED lights save them a lot compared to the previous lighting system I imagine.

[jeffro]

2 hours ago, Gridiron60 said:

The problem is it won’t be $62,400 unless they agree to a five year contract. Three years will be $108,000 per year. Surely for $108,000 we could get toilet paper, paper towels, & two working toilets. 😂

re-usable toilet paper--remember were the Va. side

[Gridiron60]

3 hours ago, 1inStripes said:

LED lights save them a lot compared to the previous lighting system I imagine.

One would think. I read Tazewell County Supervisors pulled funding for seating at Graham stadium in the comments under the article. I’m not privy to any verifiable information but if that’s true , pretty shady stuff. Who on Board of Supervisors wouldn’t want Graham’s stadium to come to fruition? Maybe I just like a good conspiracy too, lol! 

[EH31]

16 hours ago, Gridiron60 said:

One would think. I read Tazewell County Supervisors pulled funding for seating at Graham stadium in the comments under the article. I’m not privy to any verifiable information but if that’s true , pretty shady stuff. Who on Board of Supervisors wouldn’t want Graham’s stadium to come to fruition? Maybe I just like a good conspiracy too, lol! 

 

BOS Meeting

* April 8, 2025|

TCPS Sequestered Funds Status Report

Dr. Chris Stacy

Dr. Stacy presented a short status update in regards to the sequestered school facilities funds currently in excess of five (5) million dollars.

Dr. Stacy also touched on his earlier meeting with Mr. Young, Supervisor Presley and Supervisor Hrovatic, wherein he wanted to clarify that the bathroom estimate he previously gave only included a total of four (4) bathrooms at one (1) school, not four (4) bathrooms per school. Furthermore, the estimate did not include asbestos removal.

Mr. Young wanted to clarify for the benefit of the public that the sequestered funds in question, were technically repayment of a loan from the County as described earlier by the Auditor, Mr. Wickham. Mr Young said, these funds were paid to TCPS by the County then reimbursed by the State. However, during an independent audit it was discovered that the reimbursements from 2021, 2022 and 2023, were not reported by the school system to the auditors. He said, we see this as the taxpayer's money and the funds are not just to be used for various projects as the school board desires, such as the football stadium. Mr. Young went on to say we feel like the Board and County were misled regarding these funds.

Dr. Stacy agreed with the Board the importance of keeping the lines of communication open and being more transparent.

Currently, he is gathering all of the pertinent FOIA information previously requested and will

have that available soon. Dr. Stacy suggested he would be open to asking permission before any of the sequestered funds are spent, whether that means emails, public hearings or whatever the Board has in mind.

He said, the School Board members also came tonight to show we are willing and open to working together.

Supervisor Hrovatic spoke on the importance of working together for the benefit of our kids and the county.

In addition, Supervisor Hrovatic inquired about any upcoming projects, in which Dr. Stacy planned to use the sequestered funds.

Dr. Stacy mentioned the biggest priorities currently are structural issues at Tazewell High School, security cameras and doors at the schools and two (2) coal boilers that are going to need maintenance or replacement.

[jeffro]

2 hours ago, EH31 said:

 

BOS Meeting

* April 8, 2025|

TCPS Sequestered Funds Status Report

Dr. Chris Stacy

Dr. Stacy presented a short status update in regards to the sequestered school facilities funds currently in excess of five (5) million dollars.

Dr. Stacy also touched on his earlier meeting with Mr. Young, Supervisor Presley and Supervisor Hrovatic, wherein he wanted to clarify that the bathroom estimate he previously gave only included a total of four (4) bathrooms at one (1) school, not four (4) bathrooms per school. Furthermore, the estimate did not include asbestos removal.

Mr. Young wanted to clarify for the benefit of the public that the sequestered funds in question, were technically repayment of a loan from the County as described earlier by the Auditor, Mr. Wickham. Mr Young said, these funds were paid to TCPS by the County then reimbursed by the State. However, during an independent audit it was discovered that the reimbursements from 2021, 2022 and 2023, were not reported by the school system to the auditors. He said, we see this as the taxpayer's money and the funds are not just to be used for various projects as the school board desires, such as the football stadium. Mr. Young went on to say we feel like the Board and County were misled regarding these funds.

Dr. Stacy agreed with the Board the importance of keeping the lines of communication open and being more transparent.

Currently, he is gathering all of the pertinent FOIA information previously requested and will

have that available soon. Dr. Stacy suggested he would be open to asking permission before any of the sequestered funds are spent, whether that means emails, public hearings or whatever the Board has in mind.

He said, the School Board members also came tonight to show we are willing and open to working together.

Supervisor Hrovatic spoke on the importance of working together for the benefit of our kids and the county.

In addition, Supervisor Hrovatic inquired about any upcoming projects, in which Dr. Stacy planned to use the sequestered funds.

Dr. Stacy mentioned the biggest priorities currently are structural issues at Tazewell High School, security cameras and doors at the schools and two (2) coal boilers that are going to need maintenance or replacement.

KISS the new stadium goodbye..of course we can hope for a mild  winter and have the Tazewell kids wear extra coats.  And just ignore the sheet rock falling down.  Not that big of a deal

[Real Sasquatch]

23 hours ago, jeffro said:

KISS the new stadium goodbye..of course we can hope for a mild  winter and have the Tazewell kids wear extra coats.  And just ignore the sheet rock falling down.  Not that big of a deal

Look no further then the poorest county in the country (McDowell) and compare their much nicer facilities to those of Tazewell County.  Our kids deserve better and it's a shame that the schools have to be practically caving in before anybody bats an eyelash.  The stadium needs to be built and the schools need to be renovated or replaced.  It's no wonder the kids move away and don't come back, they want better for their own kids 

[goose111874]

On 5/14/2025 at 5:37 PM, jeffro said:

re-usable toilet paper--remember were the Va. side

Reusable toilet paper is fine as long as you go first 

[VHSLhelper]

That's nice of you letting jeffro go first.

[Beaverdad16]

It’s one of the nicest turf fields you’ll see, and I think a stadium next to the high school would be awesome and a great atmosphere. I just don’t think there is enough room for seating or parking.

Little league games and track meets barely have enough parking without parking in grass and the side of the road. Could you imagine a playoff game with Union coming to town? We would have to bus people from the middle school. 

[Real Sasquatch]

3 hours ago, Beaverdad16 said:

It’s one of the nicest turf fields you’ll see, and I think a stadium next to the high school would be awesome and a great atmosphere. I just don’t think there is enough room for seating or parking.

Little league games and track meets barely have enough parking without parking in grass and the side of the road. Could you imagine a playoff game with Union coming to town? We would have to bus people from the middle school. 

That school will be torn down eventually,n then there would be plenty of room for parking.  I feel like the middle schools will be changed to High Schools in the future and new k-7 schools will be built 

[jeffro]

5 hours ago, VHSLhelper said:

That's nice of you letting jeffro go first.

Hes a nice guy!!!

[jeffro]

40 minutes ago, Real Sasquatch said:

That school will be torn down eventually,n then there would be plenty of room for parking.  I feel like the middle schools will be changed to High Schools in the future and new k-7 schools will be built 

Seems like the better place for the new field would have been the middle school..lots of room there

[Fairlawncat]

Somebody on here wrote that Graham got a track at new stadium? Why? I remember competing once at Graham Middle/nice track. If space is tight at HS for a field, adding a track there just cost Graham about 1500 to 1800 seats. 

[Real Sasquatch]

41 minutes ago, Fairlawncat said:

Somebody on here wrote that Graham got a track at new stadium? Why? I remember competing once at Graham Middle/nice track. If space is tight at HS for a field, adding a track there just cost Graham about 1500 to 1800 seats. 

There was already a walking track around the field.  There is room for seating.  It would be backed up close to the old gym, would probably be similar to the stadium up at Floyd, which is close to the building.  Probably not going to happen now, thanks to the B.O.S....unless other sources of funding are found.  Lord forbid that the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors do something for that end of the county.  If I were the folks in Bluefield, I would be upset over being neglected for what, 80 years now?.... I mean, how long does it take before those folks have had enough.

[EH31]

9 hours ago, Real Sasquatch said:

There was already a walking track around the field.  There is room for seating.  It would be backed up close to the old gym, would probably be similar to the stadium up at Floyd, which is close to the building.  Probably not going to happen now, thanks to the B.O.S....unless other sources of funding are found.  Lord forbid that the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors do something for that end of the county.  If I were the folks in Bluefield, I would be upset over being neglected for what, 80 years now?.... I mean, how long does it take before those folks have had enough.

What did the board of supervisors do in this situation to stop it from happening?