The Channel Lee Stadium renovation project will not be complete in time for next weekend’s Little Big Horn competition as originally predicted, officials said this week.

Little Big Horn is Opp High School’s annual marching band contest held each fall and scheduled this year for Oct. 16.

The stadium project includes a new wall, concession stand, restrooms and press box.

Opp City School Superintendent Michael Smithart said he doesn’t think the construction will pose any problems for the festival, but that depends on work to the second floor of the press box.

“I think we will be fine,” he said. “Our hope is that the second floor to the press box will be to the point where we can station the judges. If that happens, there should be no problems.”

Smithart said in addition to completing the press box, construction is expected to begin on the brick columns for the fencing as well as pouring concrete in the plaza area.

The city and OCS announced in May that the more than $400K facelift to the stadium was “a go” thanks to $350,000 in interest-free Qualified School Construction Bonds and funding from the Opp Booster Club.

This joint venture marks the first time renovations have been made to the more than 50-year-old stadium.

Contractor for the project is Catrett Construction.

Catrett Construction was awarded the contract at a low bid of $426,000 for the renovations at the end of July.