Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 12, 1994 TAG: 9411170029
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Carey Harveycutter, manager of the stadium, said Friday that the City of Salem had hired a company out of Rocky Mount to construct prefabricated units to accommodate overflow media for the Division III national football championship. Salem Stadium will play host to the event at least through 1996.
Harveycutter said wooden foundations are currently being built at the stadium. Two boxes will be set on each side of the already-erected press box by crane. The process should be completed the week of Nov.28, Harveycutter said.
The units, being built by Mod-U-Kraf, will measure 72 feet on each side and will feature vertical vinyl siding with a white metal roof. The boxes will have glass windows that open, baseboard heat, overhead lighting, electrical outlets and wiring for phones.
Forest Jones, Salem assistant city manager, said the boxes would cost between $60,000 and $70,000. The approximate cost to rent similar units would be about $35,000 per year.
``[It shows] we're committed to the Stagg Bowl,'' Jones said. ``If the NCAA is interested in keeping it here, we're definitely interested in having it.''
Harveycutter said there was a possibility the boxes could be rented for other events, such as Salem High School football games, but that no decision had been made.
``We haven't really talked about it yet, but we will discuss it with the high school,'' Harveycutter said. ``I know they have gotten calls.''
Said Jones: ``The only thing we're interested in right now is having something safe and more substantial that last year [for the Stagg Bowl.]''
Last year, 60 media members watched the championship game from a temporary structure of scaffolding, wood and plastic. Working was made difficult by strong winds and cold temperatures.
Pairings for this year's 16-team Division III championship will be announced Sunday.
by CNB