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New press box under construction at Harrison Central’s Wagner Field

UNDER CONSTRUCTION — Constuction is under way on a new state-of-the-art pressbox at Harrison Central’s Wagner Field in Cadiz. The facility measures 7,833 square feet and has a price tag between $4-5 million. The building will be two floors and have an elevator. The completion date is late July. - Kim North

CADIZ — The Harrison Hills School District is adding another piece to its already state-of-the-art athletic facilities.

With artificial turf at its baseball, football and the softball fields, a mammoth press box is under construction at Wagner Field that will rival most in the Ohio Valley. It will be ready prior to the start of the 2022-23 school year.

According to Superintendent Dana Snider, the project has an estimated cost of somewhere between $4-5 million dollars. It is 7,833 square foot.

“I can’t wait to see what it looks like when it’s finished. It’s going to be spectacular,” Harrison Central Director of Athletics Ray Hibbs said earlier in the week while standing at the 50-yard line and admiring the view. “It should be very comparable to other press boxes around the Ohio Valley.”

The new two-story structure extends high above the home bleachers and spans from the 25-yard line on the south end of the stadium to the opposite 40-yard line.

“The front will be totally glass … kind of similar to the front of the new high school building. It will have the same brick and color scheme,” Hibbs added.

“The main entrance will be through the middle of the first floor. The entrance will also have a glass front and spectators will enter the stadium under the press box,” he continued. “The access point will be more visible to everyone who is attending whatever function we are having.”

He said that there will be eight rooms on the front of the press box that can be used by home coaches, visiting coaches, scoreboard staff, TV stations, media, video board operations, etc… .

“There will be a large meeting room on the top floor that can host a variety of meetings,” Hibbs noted.

“The new facility will be a lot less cozy than the old press box. That’s for sure.”

Hibbs said the new press box will also contain a concession stand and restrooms for the fans, as well as restrooms for the press box workers. There will also be an elevator and two stairwells.

“It’s going to be a very nice place. It can be used for more than just soccer games and football games,” he stressed.

The projected completion date is July 26.

“Hopefully that gives us enough time to get moved in and get everything organized before we host the “Friday Night Futbol” on Aug. 12.

The work is being oversaw by SHP Architects of Cincinnati. Hammond Construction and Beaver Construction are completing the work.

Hibbs said two football scrimmages are planned for August. The first home football game will be in Week 2 against Buckeye Trail.

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