Local News
Groundbreaking held on improvements at Paul Laird Field in Durant
By Marla D. Edelen, SOSU Special Events Coordinator
Jan 25, 2005

DURANT, Okla. – Community and university officials gathered at Paul Laird Field Wednesday afternoon as official groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the $2 million worth of improvements to Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s football stadium.

Area high school teams will also utilize the facility, which will feature artificial turf, a new home football locker room and athletic training facility, a new south entry façade with new ticket booth and entry gate, a new asphalt walking track, and an Honors Plaza at the southeast corner of the south facade to honor past champions.

“This is just the beginning of an exciting time for the University and the community,’’ said Southeastern president Dr. Glen D. Johnson. “The citizens of Durant and surrounding areas can look forward to enjoying the benefits of not only the football stadium improvements, but also the new arena/convocation center and multi-sports complex. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is proud to be a part of these projects and looks forward to their completion.’’

The stadium is part of the project to improve recreational and athletic facilities in the community that was approved by Durant voters in a May 11 sales tax election. Also scheduled for construction are a new multi-sports complex for the community and a new convocation center-arena on the SOSU campus.

Architects in Partnership of Norman, Oklahoma, is heading up the stadium improvements, which include the following:

(1) Artificial field system -- The vendor is Field Turf, largest and oldest field turf company in the world

(2) Approximately 7,000 sq. ft. home football locker room and athletic training facility will be constructed

(3) Honors Plaza at the SE corner of the south facade designed to honor past champions, all-Americans, etc. will be built.

(4) A new asphalt walking surface will be placed outside the field but in front of both the east and west stands--no more walking behind the east bleachers.

(5) An extensive underground drainage system will be built to deal with two very active sub-surface springs. The underground drainage system is designed to accommodate 12 inches of rain in a 12 hour period of time.

(6) A new south entry facade, along with ticket booth and entry gates, will be constructed.

The Durant Community Facilities Authority (DCFA) awarded the construction contract to Mid-Plains Construction on December 30, 2004.

The estimated timeline for the stadium improvements is as follows:

(1) site preparation work through January

(2) sub-surface drainage system in Feb.-March

(3) locker-room construction March.-July

(4) Installation of Field Turf May-July

(5) Targeted completion date is Aug. 15th

"It's exciting on many levels to have our Paul Laird Field project underway,’’ said Dr. jeff Hale, interim director of athletics at SOSU and chair of the DCFA. “There are many individuals and groups who've made this project possible, including the Durant Multi-Sports Association, the Durant City Council, Durant Community Facilities Authority and Coach (Keith) Baxter and his players and staff. We look forward to our 2005 Southeastern football season with great anticipation."

An artist’s rendering of the improvements at Paul Laird Field.