NationalHSFootball.com – Dallas Jackson, NationalHSFootball.com
Allen ISD has closed Allen Eagle Stadium for a full evaluation and repairs after extensive cracking was found in the concrete of the stadium’s concourse, officials announced Thursday.
Daily class activities were relocated from the facility beginning today, and the stadium will not be available for public use during the closure, officials said. Parents are being notified of the development in a district-wide message, and district officials made phone calls to some community leaders and announced the decision to media at a news conference.
School Board President Louise Master said district officials decided to reassign school classes to other school facilities during the continued inspection out of an abundance of caution. “Our number one priority must always be the safety of our students, staff and community. We do not have information at this point that confirms any areas outside of the concourse could be affected, but the most prudent thing to do, to absolutely assure the safety of students, staff and the community is to keep the facility closed during this review.”
The nearly $60 million stadium, financed as part of a $119 million bond issue approved by voters in 2009 with a 63 percent majority vote, opened in August 2012.
District officials ordered an engineering investigation of the cracking in the concourse level and other potential problems in the structure. Nelson Forensics, a national engineering and consulting firm, has completed about 10 percent of its investigation of the stadium structure, including the concourse level. Nelson’s preliminary review has confirmed pervasive cracking in the concrete of the elevated concourse. Nelson will complete a structural evaluation of the full facility and will recommend appropriate repairs. The designer of the facility, PBK Architects, and the builder, Pogue Construction, have been notified and are in discussion with district officials about the issues.
“This is a significant investment for our community. We are very disappointed and upset that these problems have arisen. It is unacceptable. Our students, families, and the entire community have always supported the district and our commitment to them is to make sure this issue is appropriately resolved,” Interim Superintendent Beth Nicholas said.
District officials expect the facility to remain closed until at least June while the full evaluation by the engineers continues. In addition to the immediate effect on physical education and other classes, the temporary closure will impact high school graduation ceremonies scheduled for June 6. The district will communicate with families and make decisions regarding the location of graduation ceremonies.
Repairs could be extensive and take months to complete. District officials said they will have a clearer picture of the extent of the damage by June as the examination continues. Home games of the Allen Eagles next fall will likely be affected.
The same architect and building contractor are working on construction of the school district’s $36 million service center, which is just underway. That facility will house Allen ISD’s transportation, facilities maintenance, food service and other operations. District officials said an independent review of that project is underway and any potential issues can be identified and addressed if necessary.
The Allen ISD administration currently is led by interim Superintendent Beth Nicholas. A new permanent superintendent, Lawrence Hindt, will take the helm of the district next month.
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