Allen ISD says it wants Eagle Stadium's extensive cracking to be repaired in time for graduation next spring, the superintendent announced this afternoon. But more structural problems have been discovered.
Nelson Forensics found structural design shortcomings in seven areas at the $60 million stadium, including retaining walls, concourse framing, the press box and the main scoreboard.
Nelson says there are inadequate concrete columns that support the press box and insufficient steel framing for the press box. The company also says connections at the base of the main scoreboard aren't strong enough, and that a retaining wall does not have adequate steel reinforcement.
“Their design does not meet building codes, particularly in high winds for the press box and scoreboard, and they must be fixed,” Ryan Chancey, a structural engineer with Nelson Forensics, said in a statement released by Allen ISD.
Crews could begin repairing the stadium in late July.
“We have an end goal in sight; we’d like to have our graduation in that facility in May of ’15,” Allen ISD superintendent Lance Hindt said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.
“We’re going to fix the stadium,” Hindt told reporters. “Here in six months or in May of 2015 this is going to be a distant memory.”
Engineers found no problems with the concrete seating, the concrete pier foundations that support the stadium and the small scoreboard on the stadium’s north side. Engineers presented their findings to the Allen school board Monday in a closed-door meeting.
Allen ISD announced in February it was temporarily shutting down the stadium after extensive cracks were found in the building’s concrete.
Pogue Construction and PBK have said they are working with the district to address the stadium issues.
“We will continue to work with Allen ISD and the parties involved to give the people of Allen the stadium they deserve,” Pogue said in a statement in April.
The district is still determining the costs of repairs. No agreement has yet been made with PBK and Pogue.
This spring’s graduation ceremonies were moved. The football team will play in Plano this fall.
Here's the report from Nelson Forensics:
Allen ISD Eagle Stadium Structural Problems -- Presentation Of Findings
About the stadium
Eagle Stadium opened in 2012 and earned national attention for its cost and fancy features. It seats 18,000 and includes a 38-foot wide high-definition video screen.
ESPN reported on the stadium when it opened:
It's not the biggest high school stadium in football-mad Texas, but Eagle Stadium is the grandest, with a spacious weight room for the players and practice areas for Allen High School's wrestling and golf teams. The school district decided to build it in a down economy, knowing full well it never will recoup the costs. It's a decision that local officials and team supporters defend, saying the stadium will serve as a community centerpiece and source of pride for years to come and will more than pay the costs of operating it.
Learn more
- Read more from the Allen school district's press release
- Nelson Forensics' study of issues with Eagle Stadium
- The Allen school district posts updates on this page
- Earlier: Major Cracks In $60 Million Stadium ‘Not A Black Eye For Allen ISD,’ New Superintendent Tells KERA
