Crosby ISD—Cougar Stadium Renovations
Architect: cre8 Architects
Renovation of a football-soccer-track stadium that was built in the 1970s and modified numerous times since. Renovations provided a more secure site, more seating, a proper press box, new restrooms, concessions, and a food truck plaza.
Design
The design focused on creating a District football stadium that is the center of community during football season. Goals for the project included a proper Press Box with space for Home and Visitor coaching staff, conference area, video deck and broadcast, and securing the area under bleachers, increasing bleacher capacity, increased parking capacity, and creating space for booster shops and food trucks. Materials are regional, durable brick and metal panels.
Value
Community partners assist with funding of the booster shops & concession. Artificial turf eliminates the need for water and fertilizers. Brick and metal panels were used for longevity. Parking at various lots on this campus, and parking on a neighboring campus, are used for high volume events and fans are transported on the District’s shuttle carts to the stadium, which eliminated the need for additional parking lots.
Sustainability
The brick and metal panels were fabricated in San Antonio. The artificial turf doesn’t require watering, fertilizers or sod replacement. Surrounding green areas and practice fields are community grown turf.
Community
In a small town, the stadium is the center of the community. Everyone wears the team colors, they come to the football games on Friday nights, the soccer games on Saturday afternoons, and practice for band and dance throughout the week. This project is the result of a Bond program. The community wanted the stadium. They attended the town hall sessions. They knocked on doors, they made signs, they voted overwhelmingly for it. It’s their stadium.
Planning
Town Hall sessions were held with the community to determine the macro level goals for the project. Programming and design charettes with administration, coaching staff, athletes, marching band and cheerleaders defined the components of the stadium. To minimize disruption of the stadium calendar, bleachers on one side of the stadium at a time were removed and rebuilt so the opposite side could still be used. Once the bleachers were in place, the Press Box structure was built around them.
School Transformation
Built in the 1970s and modified in numerous ways since, the stadium was outdated and lacking i modern press box, updated restrooms, field house facilities, and concessions. The new press box has space for Home and Visitor coaching staff, video & broadcast, clock & score. Booster shops are new, concessions offer improved items, and a plaza was included specifically for food trucks. Reserved individual seating with backs were provided, and practice fields are adjacent to the stadium.
Star of Distinction Category Winner