Thursday, Aug 26th, 2010

            LITTLE ROCK, AR (August 26) --- The new, three-story $7.3 million press box and club facility at the 62-year-old War Memorial Stadium officially opened today on the west side of the stadium.  The 112 foot-tall, 172 foot-long structure contains two floors of suites and club seating for 582, compared to 220 in the past, and an expanded press box with a covered deck on its rooftop for still and video photographers. The structure’s new configuration added 260 seats in outside seating, bringing War Memorial’s capacity to over 54,000.

Club seating ticket holders and the media will go in the new facility through a newly constructed façade and through an entrance that bears the name of War Memorial Stadium Commission Chairman Gary L. Smith. Since joining the Commission in 2003 as its Chairman, Smith has helped manage just over $15 million in stadium renovations.

Kevin Crass of Little Rock, a War Memorial Stadium Commissioner, announced the entrance name and said of Smith, “"Gary has been the major catalyst in transforming War Memorial Stadium from a deteriorating structure into a remarkable facility. The Commission wanted to honor him for his extraordinary leadership and efforts that have resulted in a rebirth of this historic place. One might call it Miracle on Markham 3."

The club facilities, once known as Hog Heaven, have been expanded by 10,000 square feet, making it 50% larger than before.  It has kitchen facilities, dining and lounge seating areas, an increased number of rest room facilities and five private suites.  Catering in the club facilities will be by the stadium which will provide wait staff and enhanced menu options.   

The press box, located on the third floor and named the Orville Henry Press Floor, contains three rows of work space for the news media and open space to be used as work stations at its entrance. Also on this floor is the Jim Elder and Paul Eells Broadcast Booth, where play-by-play radio announcers for home teams work. A separate booth is provided for the visiting radio team.   

New to the press box is the Sports Media Legends Wall of Honor that salutes outstanding members of the sports media who have distinguished themselves as true legends in their career.  Plaques of Henry, Elder and Eells are already placed on the wall.  On September 9, Jim Bailey, sports columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Wally Hall, sports editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; and Harry King, sports columnist for Arkansas News Bureau, will join them as new Sports Media Legends.  Honorees are selected by members of the War Memorial Stadium Commission. 

The Lettermen’s Club and Recruit Room, used by University of Arkansas lettermen and UA athletic department officials and coaches as well as the stadium for rental, has undergone a $500,000-plus renovation, transforming an out-dated facility into comfortable, home-atmosphere, user-friendly rooms. 

Also new at the stadium is the field surface which is a synthetic called Field Turf, the same surface used by the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts.  The field has been named AT&T Field with the AT&T logo displayed on the field in two spaces. AT&T signage has increased in the concourses and in selected positions on the stadium exterior. The announcement of AT&T Field was made on June 23.   

War Memorial will be totally wireless with AT&T installing an entire 3G network for the ultimate in communications for stadium fans.  The stadium will also be tobacco-free for this year’s football season which opens Monday, August 30 with the Arkansas High School Kickoff Classic sponsored by Arkansas Sports 360 and KABZ-FM, 103.7 The Buzz radio station. 

Smith said of the new structure, “This new facility is the shining star in a series of renovations that we have been able to facilitate with much help from many leaders, including Governor Beebe, the state legislature, the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council and the University of Arkansas.  Today has been a long awaited day for our Commissioners, our staff and the outstanding construction and architecture team that worked long and hard to make this possible.”  

Smith said that construction on the new facility began last December 14, just after the state high school football championships were completed.  The eight-month project went as planned. 

“We’ve been able to make stadium improvements each year for the past seven, but this year, fans will see the biggest difference of all.  The new press box gives the stadium a whole new look and feel.  I think fans will be pleased,” Smith added.

At today’s event, Louis Schaufele of Little Rock, a former Razorback football player who played in the first football game played at War Memorial Stadium on September 18, 1948, when the Arkansas Razorbacks defeated Abilene Christian 40-6, and a former War Memorial Stadium Commission Chairman, helped cut the ribbon to officially dedicate the new facility. 

“This is a great new beginning for a great stadium.  I’m so proud of what has been done and commend all those who played key roles in making this possible.  Now let’s play some football,” Schaufele said. 

Architect for the project was Wittenberg Delony & Davidson (WD&D) and general contractor was Kinco Construction.  The stadium hosts two Razorback football games this fall – Louisiana Monroe on September 11 and LSU on November 27. 

 Charlie Staggs is general manager of War Memorial Stadium.  In addition to Smith and Crass, other War Memorial Stadium Commissioners are Brenda Scisson, Donald Cook and Nancy Monroe, all of Little Rock; Charlie Holt of Stuttgart, Dorance Damron of Fort Smith and Senator Jim Hill of Nashville.  Commissioners are appointed by the governor and serve seven-year terms. 

The new press box and club facility replaces the old structure which had been constructed in 1966.

Photographs are courtesy of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Please click on the link below.

 focus.arkansasonline.com/galleries/index.php