The 20th anniversary this year of the opening of Nixa's Eagle Stadium could include groundbreaking for upgrades throughout the complex that would double the home team's seating capacity.

As part of the upcoming April 2 ballot, the Nixa Board Of Education has approved two issues for voters' consideration. Question 2 proposes a change to the current operating levy that would include a remodeling of Eagle Stadium among a wide variety of projects.

If approved, construction at the stadium would begin this summer and be completed in time for the opening of Nixa's 2020 football and soccer seasons.

Seating at Eagle Stadium on the home side of the field has remained at 1,800 since the stadium debuted in 2000. The remodeling would up the capacity for home fans to 3,500.

Activities Director Brandon Clark feels the extra seating would be much welcomed from the perspective of fans and the school. He noted Nixa routinely draws an overflow home crowd that spills out onto the tracking around the field.

"We have anywhere form 500-2,000 people who stand on the track for a game," Clark said. "For some people, that might be a great view for them to be up that close. But it's not great on our track. Over the years, it's really hurt our track to have that much foot traffic on it consistently. 

"Also, I've talked to people in the community who would love to come to games. But they know there might not be a seat for them. So, we're looking at doubling our current capacity. That would put us between 3,500-3,600 seats on the home side. Right now, we have about 1,800. The plan is to use the current stands we have, refurbish them and build on from there. Our rows of seats would double to the 40-range." 

The added seating would include chair-back seats in the upper middle section. Season tickets would be available for the chair-back seats.

"What's nice is if people end up getting here late they will have a reserved seat," Clark said. "I'm sure the chair-back seats will sell quickly between our avid fans and parents of players. I would like to see 300-500 chair-back seats. We've played with the numbers and will have to wait and see. The more chair-back seats you add, the less general seating you're going to have. 

"I would assume the chair-back seats will be red. But we've also talked gray. The gray doesn't pop as much, but will look good over time. Red is nice as long as the manufacturer can guarantee they're not going to fade over time and look pink. When it comes to fading, manufacturers these days are starting to guarantee (they won't fade)."

The project would also call for a tower that would include a two-level press box, bathrooms, a concession stand, stairway and elevator.

"Our current press box is supposed to hold only 16 people. We put a lot more than 16 people in there on a given Friday night," Clark said. "We hope to be more hospitable to media, people who control the clock and the announcer so that they have their own booths. Also, we want to be able to get our coaches inside who have been standing on top of the press box. 

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For more information on the April 2 ballot, click here.