Graham Stadium

[Gridiron60]

11 hours ago, Real Sasquatch said:

https://images.app.goo.gl/srE9e

https://images.app.goo.gl/MsJfECnTX6XeBhd58

Something like the 1st link would be nice to have at Graham's new field eventually (size wise) for the home side.  Alternating sections of cardinal red and gold (like the 2nd link) would be cool and visitors side similar to what Tazewell has....  They would need a press box of some type at the top, there's plenty of capable kids at the Vocational School that could probably build that, there's some talented kids over there...that wouldn't have to be too big...maybe a couple of small rooms for coaches and media.  I was thinking that the gym could be opened up behind the home side for restrooms, concessions and access for the away team locker rooms.  Graham could use the field house for their locker room.  

Anybody else have any interesting ideas.  I was just thinking about possibilities 

 

I don’t know but maybe share your ideas with someone who can get things accomplished. I definitely think using Voc-tech kids would be a smart idea. They’ve done several projects around county. 

[stu_bean]

2 minutes ago, Gridiron60 said:

Now, come on, that’s a state of art, architectural genius facility…especially visitor’s locker room. 

The home side has great views but everything else about that place I absolutely hate.

[stu_bean]

1 minute ago, Gridiron60 said:

I don’t know but maybe share your ideas with someone who can get things accomplished. I definitely think using Voc-tech kids would be a smart idea. They’ve done several projects around county. 

Don't know about town of Bluefield but town of Tazewell has skilled public works employees that can build a lot of stuff and save there.  They are going to use them to do the majority of construction work for the new Farmer's Market Pavillion.

[Cane4lf]

If Graham is paying $60,000 per year, plus $5,000 per playoff game, we can estimate an annual cost of approximately $75,000–$80,000. Over three years, that totals between $215,000 and $240,000.

In comparison, the offer from the City of Bluefield, WV, was $324,000 over three years—or $108,000 annually. This means the proposed agreement asks for approximately $28,000–$33,000 more per year than the current arrangement.

Is it really worth disrupting Graham’s football program for the next two or more years over this difference?

This decision affects far more than just scheduling. It risks displacing home games to other schools, disregarding the impact on student-athletes—particularly seniors whose final seasons will be disrupted. Additionally, the local youth football (little league) program would need to modify its schedules and locations to accommodate Graham's Saturday daytime games. If youth games are moved to daytime slots elsewhere, this could reduce fan turnout for the varsity team—ultimately affecting community support and revenue.

Furthermore, the rationale that visitors shouldn’t have to bring their own seating, while expecting local taxpayers—who fund many public resources—to do so, feels inconsistent and dismissive of the community.

In the bigger picture, altering the sports ecosystem for multiple groups—especially student-athletes—for a difference of under $35,000 annually appears to reflect poor planning and limited foresight.

The more reasonable approach would be to honor the current contract, complete the field without rushing, and ensure a smooth, well-planned transition when the time is right.

[Fairlawncat]

31 minutes ago, Cane4lf said:

 

If Graham is paying $60,000 per year, plus $5,000 per playoff game, we can estimate an annual cost of approximately $75,000–$80,000. Over three years, that totals between $215,000 and $240,000.

In comparison, the offer from the City of Bluefield, WV, was $324,000 over three years—or $108,000 annually. This means the proposed agreement asks for approximately $28,000–$33,000 more per year than the current arrangement.

Is it really worth disrupting Graham’s football program for the next two or more years over this difference?  

This decision affects far more than just scheduling. It risks displacing home games to other schools, disregarding the impact on student-athletes—particularly seniors whose final seasons will be disrupted. Additionally, the local youth football (little league) program would need to modify its schedules and locations to accommodate Graham's Saturday daytime games. If youth games are moved to daytime slots elsewhere, this could reduce fan turnout for the varsity team—ultimately affecting community support and revenue.

Furthermore, the rationale that visitors shouldn’t have to bring their own seating, while expecting local taxpayers—who fund many public resources—to do so, feels inconsistent and dismissive of the community.

In the bigger picture, altering the sports ecosystem for multiple groups—especially student-athletes—for a difference of under $35,000 annually appears to reflect poor planning and limited foresight.

The more reasonable approach would be to honor the current contract, complete the field without rushing, and ensure a smooth, well-planned transition when the time is right.

100K is a lot of money and that is just this cycle.  What about an additional price raise when that contract is up.  I would bet it's another increase.  Short term sacrifice for long term gain G-Men fans.  That's what your football team has done in preparation off the field, in the weight room, and in practice that has made them the best C2 program in Virginia.  The kids get it.  You guys as adults obviously can get it also.  Don't play at Mitchell Stadium.  Be done with them.  

The seating capacity can be easily fixed and is the major worry from what I read.  The major cost of a stadium is the foundation for the seats, excavating, the lighting system, the sound system and speakers, drainage, piping, water lines, electrical, the concession stands, the visiting locker room, the parking lots including excavating/leveling/paving, and the seats.  Tazewell County will have knocked out all of the above.  If the stadium is what, only 4K, but all of the above are paid for, and you want to get it to 7K, an additional 3K seats?  That's not that difficult.  The town of Bluefield, VA, and boosters could raise that money with donations for those extra 3K seats in 24 months.  The foundation and grunt work and bulk of the stadium is paid for by TC.  Adding 3K seats is actually not terribly expensive since you aren't starting from scratch.  I don't know if your place fits 7K, but if it does, assuming the stadium is completely done and finalized by T. County, adding 3K isn't terribly costly and it's not cheap, but it's cheap enough to where Bluefield, VA, could raise that money on their own.  Cost of one seat is about 1K if the grunt work/rest of the stadium is done.  That's about 300K to add 3,000 seats.  It's alot, but it's not so much that Bluefield, VA and Graham boosters couldn't raise over a 2 or 3 or 4 year period.

If I were a Bluefield, VA/Graham fan, I would ensure the stadium plans prior to being built have room for expansion if that's possible and the location is large enough.  It only take 1 or 2 millionaires, either now, or 10 years from now to easily say, I'm going to give 500K, lets add some seats.  I wouldn't limit myself or lock in 4000 seats permanently with no room for expansion, if the place is big enough to hold more than that.  it could be a point in the future financially to where Bluefield, VA, wouldn't need to ask TC for money for expansion and 1 or 2 millionaires for 20 people that are approaching millionaire status donate that money in one month.  Those things can and do happen.

[CPF]

Yes it is.  

[tbgfan]

I was with some family members this weekend who are Graham fans.  We were talking about the situation.  The fan said this and I agreed.  "Maybe build a  sponsorship  wall, or a brick walkway at the new stadium.  Each donor could buy a brick for $100 or whatever is deemed appropriate.  It wouldn't be a "financial windfall", but it could be a help in the things that still need completing.  

[Real Sasquatch]

46 minutes ago, Cane4lf said:

 

If Graham is paying $60,000 per year, plus $5,000 per playoff game, we can estimate an annual cost of approximately $75,000–$80,000. Over three years, that totals between $215,000 and $240,000.

In comparison, the offer from the City of Bluefield, WV, was $324,000 over three years—or $108,000 annually. This means the proposed agreement asks for approximately $28,000–$33,000 more per year than the current arrangement.

Is it really worth disrupting Graham’s football program for the next two or more years over this difference?

This decision affects far more than just scheduling. It risks displacing home games to other schools, disregarding the impact on student-athletes—particularly seniors whose final seasons will be disrupted. Additionally, the local youth football (little league) program would need to modify its schedules and locations to accommodate Graham's Saturday daytime games. If youth games are moved to daytime slots elsewhere, this could reduce fan turnout for the varsity team—ultimately affecting community support and revenue.

Furthermore, the rationale that visitors shouldn’t have to bring their own seating, while expecting local taxpayers—who fund many public resources—to do so, feels inconsistent and dismissive of the community.

In the bigger picture, altering the sports ecosystem for multiple groups—especially student-athletes—for a difference of under $35,000 annually appears to reflect poor planning and limited foresight.

The more reasonable approach would be to honor the current contract, complete the field without rushing, and ensure a smooth, well-planned transition when the time is right.

 All High schools in the same School System  should have equal access to on campus facilities.  I hope it gets done sooner then later.  Little League can play at the middle school  , just need to paint the lines, no big deal.  As far as bringing your own chairs, I'm all for it, maybe that will wake some people up.  I think they plan to get in some temporary bleachers or something for the visitors .....it'll work out fine.  As far as being dismissive to the community.  The community has been dismissed for 80 years, they're used to it. 

[Real Sasquatch]

23 minutes ago, tbgfan said:

I was with some family members this weekend who are Graham fans.  We were talking about the situation.  The fan said this and I agreed.  "Maybe build a  sponsorship  wall, or a brick walkway at the new stadium.  Each donor could buy a brick for $100 or whatever is deemed appropriate.  It wouldn't be a "financial windfall", but it could be a help in the things that still need completing.  

I agree.  There needs to be some creative ways to bring in money.  Look at Grants, the NFL has a foundation that gives to youth football programs.  There are foundations for low-income communities that give grants and loans.  The state of Virginia is sitting on $288 million right now that is ear marked for low income-school systems for new facilities and Tazewell County is high on that list.  Gotta go out and find the money. I like the idea of sponsorships too.  Hitachi Energy has already contributed some benches and a scoreboard.  Perhaps Bluefield University could be approached for some type of partnership too 

[Cane4lf]

---

 

I was proposing a three-year contract renewal, which would provide ample time to complete all necessary planning and improvements.

Throughout these discussions, the impact on student-athletes has been largely overlooked. Their experience and stability should be a top priority. While the middle school field may serve as a temporary solution, is it realistic to expect multiple little league teams and a varsity team to play on the same day? That scenario seems highly impractical.

Spending $100,000 is a relatively small price to pay to ensure our student-athletes have a consistent, high-quality season—rather than being shuffled around due to a lack of preparation.

These students are being lost in the shuffle of these decisions, and that should concern all of us. Think about what’s at stake: Homecoming at Tazewell High School—that’s a milestone event. Senior Night at their own field—those are once-in-a-lifetime memories. Disrupting those moments for the sake of pride or politics isn't just unfortunate; it’s unfair to the very kids this is supposed to support.

[Fairlawncat]

5 minutes ago, Cane4lf said:

 

---

 

I was proposing a three-year contract renewal, which would provide ample time to complete all necessary planning and improvements.

Throughout these discussions, the impact on student-athletes has been largely overlooked. Their experience and stability should be a top priority. While the middle school field may serve as a temporary solution, is it realistic to expect multiple little league teams and a varsity team to play on the same day? That scenario seems highly impractical.

Spending $100,000 is a relatively small price to pay to ensure our student-athletes have a consistent, high-quality season—rather than being shuffled around due to a lack of preparation.

These students are being lost in the shuffle of these decisions, and that should concern all of us. Think about what’s at stake: Homecoming at Tazewell High School—that’s a milestone event. Senior Night at their own field—those are once-in-a-lifetime memories. Disrupting those moments for the sake of pride or politics isn't just unfortunate; it’s unfair to the very kids this is supposed to support.

Just my guess, there has been 40 plus years of "ample time to complete all necessary planning and improvements."  I think the impact on student-athletes is being heavily considered, but not just the one's now at Graham, but for the next 50 years by giving them their own stadium.  You wrote spending 100K is a small price for a high quality season.  That's "season."  Kicking can down the road and doing the same thing.  After 75 plus years, it might be time to do something different and not be so focused on this season or the next 2 years, but be more focused on the next 50 years. I think it's about the next 50 seasons, not the next 12 months.  Every other team in the SWD has had that opportunity.  You get things done by action, not kicking the can down the road in order to feel good for one season.  Short term sacrifice for long term gain.  In the end, hundreds of more players at Graham High benefit over the next half a century compared to the 50 that it rough for 12 months.  I think siding with the hundreds over the next 50 years is an easy choice.  We had squabbles at Radford when we had to repair the stadium for the foundation crack.  Some wanted to kick the can down the road.  Thank God we had enough that immediately took action and finished the job fairly quick, and we ain't talkin about it 2 years later.  

 

[Cane4lf]

That’s over three seasons. 33k per season  X three seasons.  Over the original contract.  

[Fairlawncat]

10 minutes ago, Cane4lf said:

That’s over three seasons. 

Wouldn't matter if it's over 5 season.  Same result.  Same discussion from years ago from what I've read on here.  Same discussion in 3 seasons or 4 seasons.  That result would be that Graham still wouldn't have it's own stadium and the contract talks begin again and Bluefield raises the price.  When you bang your head on the wall and keep doing it, in order to make it stop hurting, you stop banging it.  You do something different.  You don't slow down the banging.  You don't give yourself more time to prepare to stop the head bangin. You don't plan a meeting to stop the head bangin.  You immediately stop the head banging and the head stops hurting.  Bluefield, WV has had decades and Tazewell County of head bangin.  Probably time for those in Bluefield, VA, to put a stop to it.  Don't delay it, don't prolong it, don't slow it down.  Stop it.

[Cane4lf]

You are missing the point.  Not opposed to the stadium.  The talks are we are getting the stadium.  So take the one contract cycle to get all things done. And not one student is affected. 

[Real Sasquatch]

59 minutes ago, Cane4lf said:

 

---

 

I was proposing a three-year contract renewal, which would provide ample time to complete all necessary planning and improvements.

Throughout these discussions, the impact on student-athletes has been largely overlooked. Their experience and stability should be a top priority. While the middle school field may serve as a temporary solution, is it realistic to expect multiple little league teams and a varsity team to play on the same day? That scenario seems highly impractical.

Spending $100,000 is a relatively small price to pay to ensure our student-athletes have a consistent, high-quality season—rather than being shuffled around due to a lack of preparation.

These students are being lost in the shuffle of these decisions, and that should concern all of us. Think about what’s at stake: Homecoming at Tazewell High School—that’s a milestone event. Senior Night at their own field—those are once-in-a-lifetime memories. Disrupting those moments for the sake of pride or politics isn't just unfortunate; it’s unfair to the very kids this is supposed to support.

Tazewell County squeezes a nickel so hard, the Buffalo has to take a crap....although I wish you were correct, it's not going to happen. 

But the City of Bluefield is being ridiculous.  

[CPF]

30 minutes ago, Cane4lf said:

You are missing the point.  Not opposed to the stadium.  The talks are we are getting the stadium.  So take the one contract cycle to get all things done. And not one student is affected. 

Thats exactly what we were going to do. Sign another 2 year contract and build. TCPS isn't the problem here.  Maybe you should go to a city council meeting on the WV side and ask that question. But the city basically tried to double the rent for a 3 year contract. 

[Real Sasquatch]

48 minutes ago, Fairlawncat said:

Just my guess, there has been 40 plus years of "ample time to complete all necessary planning and improvements."  I think the impact on student-athletes is being heavily considered, but not just the one's now at Graham, but for the next 50 years by giving them their own stadium.  You wrote spending 100K is a small price for a high quality season.  That's "season."  Kicking can down the road and doing the same thing.  After 75 plus years, it might be time to do something different and not be so focused on this season or the next 2 years, but be more focused on the next 50 years. I think it's about the next 50 seasons, not the next 12 months.  Every other team in the SWD has had that opportunity.  You get things done by action, not kicking the can down the road in order to feel good for one season.  Short term sacrifice for long term gain.  In the end, hundreds of more players at Graham High benefit over the next half a century compared to the 50 that it rough for 12 months.  I think siding with the hundreds over the next 50 years is an easy choice.  We had squabbles at Radford when we had to repair the stadium for the foundation crack.  Some wanted to kick the can down the road.  Thank God we had enough that immediately took action and finished the job fairly quick, and we ain't talkin about it 2 years later.  

 

I agree, I think even if somebody were to step up and donate the money for the next 3 years.  The prevailing attitude would be to procrastinate.  This way, it will get done faster.  I think it will be fine this year.  The big gate games (Bluefield, Union and Tazewell) will all be played at Mitchell, Tazewell and Richlands.  The smaller crowds will be played at Graham or perhaps at Tazewell this year).  I'm hearing 2 or 3 games will be played at the new field (Marion and Lebanon)....but those could still be moved to Tazewell 

[Cane4lf]

1 hour ago, Cane4lf said:

You are missing the point.  Not opposed to the stadium.  The talks are we are getting the stadium.  So take the one contract cycle to get all things done. And not one student is affected. 

 

36 minutes ago, CPF said:

Thats exactly what we were going to do. Sign another 2 year contract and build. TCPS isn't the problem here.  Maybe you should go to a city council meeting on the WV side and ask that question. But the city basically tried to double the rent for a 3 year contract. 

I’m not sure how it’s double.  If we are paying 80k a year right now and they are asking 108k.    I disagree, TCPS needs to quit thinking with pride and do what’s right for the kids.  Pay the money and have a smooth transition.  

[CPF]

38 minutes ago, Cane4lf said:

 

I’m not sure how it’s double.  If we are paying 80k a year right now and they are asking 108k.    I disagree, TCPS needs to quit thinking with pride and do what’s right for the kids.  Pay the money and have a smooth transition.  

We are paying 60 plus playoff games 

[Cane4lf]

1 minute ago, CPF said:

We are paying 60 plus playoff games 

Which is another 15k-20k.   

[Cane4lf]

9 minutes ago, CPF said:

We are paying 60 plus playoff games 

Is the current offer on the table  not including playoff games?  I was under the impression that included all games. 

[Real Sasquatch]

2 minutes ago, Cane4lf said:

Is the current offer on the table  not including playoff games?  I was under the impression that included all games. 

Playoff games are extra.

[CPF]

1 hour ago, Cane4lf said:

Is the current offer on the table  not including playoff games?  I was under the impression that included all games. 

No

[jeffro]

11 hours ago, Cane4lf said:

That’s over three seasons. 33k per season  X three seasons.  Over the original contract.  

Hard to pay $108,000.00 for minimum of 3years and then try to have a new stadium funded. Especially in area that’s as poverished as SWVA. I love Mitchell, it’s what all of us had always called home even when we weren’t allowed to sit on home team side.   Now I say screw Bluefield BOS.  I’d rather sit in my lounge chair.  I for one am willing to help how I can to make a new stadium possible.   Greed at it’s finest 

[EH31]

14 hours ago, Cane4lf said:

Is the current offer on the table  not including playoff games?  I was under the impression that included all games. 

I’ve read the entirety of both the 3 year and 5 year contract offers and there is nothing in either saying an amount that the Tazewell County School Board would have to pay extra for playoff games. 
 

The last contract that was signed (2023-2025) stated that there would be no extra charges for playoff games & Graham would no longer have to give 25% of their concession stand money back to the city of Bluefield.