A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds. Low 76F. Winds light and variable..

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds. Low 76F. Winds light and variable.

A $4 million construction project is underway at Jefferson ISD’s W.F. Lockett Bulldog Stadium in Jefferson.

A $4 million construction project is underway at Jefferson ISD's W.F. Lockett Bulldog Stadium in Jefferson.

A $4 million construction project is underway at Jefferson ISD’s W.F. Lockett Bulldog Stadium in Jefferson.

A $4 million construction project is underway at Jefferson ISD's W.F. Lockett Bulldog Stadium in Jefferson.

JEFFERSON — Jefferson Bulldog fans will see major updates to the school district’s W.F. Lockett Bulldog Stadium when the school year begins in August.

Jefferson ISD Superintendent Rob Barnwell said the about $4 million project at the stadium is underway.

The stadium, at 1199 N. Cass St. in Jefferson, is undergoing a host of updates that spectators will notice as soon as they begin approaching the facility.

“We are updating the press box, stadium lighting, fencing, re-turfing the field, and installing a new parking lot,” Barnwell said. “We had a lot of drainage issues on the playing surface, and it was going to cost a significant amount of money to address it even if we left it as natural grass. We believe it was past due regarding the timing of upgrading the field, so we thought it would be best to go ahead and install artificial turf.”

The parking lot area is under renovation, and work started just before this past school year ended, forcing the district to host the Jefferson High School graduation ceremony at the district’s baseball field instead of the stadium.

Barnwell said the drainage issue wasn’t the only pressing project on the stadium update list.

“The other areas we are addressing were in serious need too,” he said.

Barnwell said while there is plenty of work left to be completed, the majority of the turf work is done.

“The turf work is basically done,” he said. “The rest of the work is expected to be done by mid- to late August.”

Barnwell said a bond referendum was not needed for the stadium updates as the district will use money from its general fund.

This past year, the stadium received a new scoreboard valued at $36,000 thanks to a private donation from Lee Haggard of Riverside Bank.

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