Cooke Douglass Farr Lemons | Architects & Engineers PA
In the Press
In the Press
Stadium Preparations Being Made for Upcoming Ole Miss Baseball Season
Courtesy: University of Mississippi
Release: 02/01/2008
OXFORD, Miss. – While the exciting renovation of Oxford-University Stadium continues, contractors and Ole Miss personnel are taking the necessary measures to ensure a safe and successful 2008 season for Rebel baseball players and fans.
Construction is presently in the first of a three-phase plan designed by architects Cooke Douglass Farr Lemons and contracted to the Panola Construction Company.
The current work in progress is staged behind the grandstand and entails electrical, plumbing, sewage and other aspects of the stadium’s infrastructure. In the week leading up to the Feb. 22 season opener against Minnesota, that area will be repaved, and the facility will be made functional for the new campaign.
The grandstand and outfield seating areas will remain intact during the season. However, the hill down the third baseline will not be available to the public, and there will be no fan access from the stands to the leftfield seating area at the start of the season.
In addition, each team’s bullpen is being moved behind the outfield wall, and thus the leftfield playground will not be available for children.
“The stadium will be ready prior to opening day for fan and player access,” said Blake Barnes, Ole Miss Senior Associate Athletics Director for Facilities. “Everyone understands the scope of the work. We are looking forward to a state-of-the-art facility, and this is the price.
“Despite the construction, there will be very little interruption of the fan’s access and excitement this year, and we plan to keep everyone continuously updated on the progress of the renovation.”
Phase two of the project will run throughout the season and will occur primarily down the first and third baselines. However, no work will be done on gamedays.
The bulk of the construction will occur in the final stage, which begins immediately following the 2008 season. Completion date is set for February 2009.