The Warner Robins center for sporting events and concerts is about to get an overhaul.
The Houston County Board of Education gave the go ahead Tuesday to start spending education SPLOST dollars to renovate McConnell-Talbert Stadium.
They selected a design and engineering firm from Austell, Georgia, to do the work.
Tuesday morning during a P.E. class, Warner Robins High coaches Tommy Howell and Tom Mobley said they spend a lot of time at the stadium.
They teach classes there during the day.
On Friday nights, Howell coaches Warner Robins High running backs, and Mobley gives play-by-play for Sports Mike Radio from the press box.
Mobley says the box gets overcrowded. He said, "It's cramped. It really is. There's coaches up there, the people who run the score board, the clock, there's coaches for both sides."
The stadium is about to get a new press box on the visitors side to relieve some of the problems.
$2 to $3 million worth of renovations include that work, plus the addition of handicap seating, concession stand upgrades, new stadium lighting and a new sound system.
The second phase of work includes field drainage system maintenance and field house renovations.
Houston County Schools Facilities Director Jason Daniel said, "The stadium was built in the late 60's, early 70's. No major renovations or improvements have been done since that time."
Daniel says work will start as soon as football season ends, and the first phase will be complete by late June.
Mobley and Howell say the work may not enhance student athletic abilities, but it can only help the fan experience.
Howell said, "It would give them a pleasant feeling when they left the stadium, especially with the high qualilty football we play here in Houston County."
Also Tuesday, the Board of Education approved spending to replace the flooring in six elementary school gyms. Daniel said they're moving from carpet to a safer sports flooring at a cost of about $800,000. That's also being paid for with money from the E-SPLOST.