The first home football game in 2019 for Red River High is in September, which seems like a long way off. But it is closer than you might think in terms of rebuilding the field and track before then.
On Tuesday, the Red River Parish School Board held a special called meeting at noon to award the bid for field construction. There were bids received from five companies and the amounts ranged from a high of $1.292 million to a low of $1.094 million. The low bid was submitted by GeoSurfaces, Inc.
Board Finance Director David Jones explained the project. He said, “The football field is moving a few feet to center with a new grandstand, to be built later. The field will be re-crowned and there will be a parameter drain inside the track. There will be a pad and then turf on the field.”
“The track itself will have a few bad spots patched,” said Jones. “The surface will have asphalt and the rubber surface will be re-laid, then the stripes will be repainted.” Jones said the track would not be completely removed, but will be repaired.
The question of drainage was discussed. At present there are large drains around the field and spots where water stands after a rain. Jones explained that the reworking of the football field would fill in all the gaps. The turf surface will extend all the way to a drain just inside the track.
Jones told the board that their architect, Yeager, Watson and Associates “was excited to see them get the bid. They have done good work in the past.” Jones told the board, “We hope to get all the paperwork completed by March 1st. Then 150 days to construct. I hope all the stars line up to get things done in time for the first football game in September. Let’s hope for favorable weather.”
Board member Gary Giddens moved to award the bid to GeoSurfaces, Inc. It was seconded by Kasandra White. The board voted to approve awarding the bid.