Additional ramps will allow use before project is compete

The Andalusia Board of Education on Monday authorized the construction of ADA-compliant ramps that will allow the use of the renovated Andalusia High School stadium before the construction project is completed.

Superintendent Ted Watson explained to board members that the field is ready, and the team is already practicing on it.

“We can play a game there, but we can’t let anybody come and watch it if we don’t do this,” he said.

Board members have long known that the new press box would not be completed before the season began, and a workaround had already been established to allow rest of the stadium to pass the state building commission’s inspection allowing use of the venue.

Now, Watson said, with several rain delays and delays in shipment of red iron, Wyatt Sasser Construction also does not expect the plaza to be completed by the first home game, which will be the second game of the season on Fri., August 31, against Trinity Presbyterian.

Watson said ramps will be built from the parking lot routing spectators to gates on the side of the stadium, and near the new field house.

“I don’t know any way around it to guarantee we can play football on the 31st,” he said.

The ramps, which were priced at $28,295, are expected to be needed until the fourth home game of the season, when the Bulldogs host Opp on Sept. 28.