PANAMA CITY — Planned renovations to Tommy Oliver Stadium have been delayed, Bay District Schools Athletic Director Kirk Harrell said Monday.
Phase 1 of a two-pronged renovation of the structure, built in the 1950s, was set to begin on July 1 and impact the upcoming high school football season.
According to a press release issued by Harrell on Monday, the district is exploring other options before moving forward with the project. Harrell said that because previous closure dates have been lifted, fall scheduling at the stadium is now taking place.
Had Phase 1 started in July, all high school home games for county football teams were projected to be scheduled at other venues until at least Oct. 1 of this year.
“We’re just looking into some different options, maybe adjusting the plan so that construction doesn’t have to disrupt activities at Tommy Oliver,” Harrell said Monday.
Harrell emphasized that Monday’s press release doesn’t mean that the project has lost momentum. Future renovations continue in the planning phase, he said.
The stadium will remain closed to all track and field meets because of the condition of the surface of the track at Tommy Oliver, Harrell said.
Track and field events will continue being held at Arnold and Bozeman high schools throughout the spring season.
The annual spring football jamboree or spring classic full exhibition games, often held at the stadium, were expected to be held regardless of the update because construction hadn’t been scheduled until July 1.
