I'm watching network reporting on the latest monstrosity built in Texas dedicated to high school football. Looking at the stadium, it is NOT multi-use, has luxury boxes for corporate sponsors (that's so wrong), only seats 12,000, and doesn't look that much better than the stadiums built in Florida.
Joe Etheredge Stadium at Choctawhatchee High School seats 8,700 and often has 12,000 watching a rivalry game. It is a multi-use, natural grass stadium. It usually hosts track and field events for Okaloosa County because the track at Niceville is not legal size and Ft Walton did not have the room to add a track to their new stadium. I don't know why track events are not held at Crestview. It also hosts a regional marching band competitions, men and women soccer games, and flag football. Other stadiums throughout the panhandle provide almost as much seating for the visitors as they do for the home team. They also have adequate restrooms and concessions. There is adequate parking at Choctawhatchee, at the middle school across the street, and in the surrounding areas.
Why would anyone build a $72M stadium? Because someone donated the money to do so. That's the only reason. Will students and families be able to afford to attend games? Who knows!
Please do not get the bug to build ridiculously expensive stadiums just to compete with Texas. Build stadiums that support all students and provide an adequate, comfortable environment for the teams and the fans.
Joe Etheredge Stadium at Choctawhatchee High School seats 8,700 and often has 12,000 watching a rivalry game. It is a multi-use, natural grass stadium. It usually hosts track and field events for Okaloosa County because the track at Niceville is not legal size and Ft Walton did not have the room to add a track to their new stadium. I don't know why track events are not held at Crestview. It also hosts a regional marching band competitions, men and women soccer games, and flag football. Other stadiums throughout the panhandle provide almost as much seating for the visitors as they do for the home team. They also have adequate restrooms and concessions. There is adequate parking at Choctawhatchee, at the middle school across the street, and in the surrounding areas.
Why would anyone build a $72M stadium? Because someone donated the money to do so. That's the only reason. Will students and families be able to afford to attend games? Who knows!
Please do not get the bug to build ridiculously expensive stadiums just to compete with Texas. Build stadiums that support all students and provide an adequate, comfortable environment for the teams and the fans.