Demolition is complete on Opp’s Channel-Lee Stadium renovation project, and bids for the construction should let next week, Opp City School Superintendent Michael Smithart said.

“The city has completed the demolition,” he said. “I spoke with our architect (McKee and Associates) Thursday , and he hopes to have the plans ready early next week.

“At that point we will advertise for bids and wait for that to run its course,” he said.

Smithart said the bids process will take a couple of weeks and then construction will begin once a bid has been awarded.

The city and OCS announced last month the $400,000 facelift to the stadium was ‘a go,” thanks to $375,000 in interest-free Qualified School Construction Bonds, which are designed to help fund school construction projects.

The Opp Booster Club is also helping finance the project, and the city will make annual payments on the project.

This joint venture is the first time the more than 50-year-old stadium has seen renovations, which consist of a new south wall, concession stand, restrooms and pressbox.

Smithart said he hopes the project will be completed by the middle of football season. Football games will still be played at the stadium, and a temporary pressbox will be brought in.

“This is just a minor inconvenience for such a nice upgrade,” he said. “ I truly believe this project reflects the standards we share relative to the quality of facilities we will provide for our young people and our community. We all want our citizens as well as visitors to our city to know that we are working together to make Opp a better place.”