The Walt Whitman High School bleachers are back - and better than ever! And in time for graduation. The construction on the new stands and press box has been going on all winter and is nearing completion. The finishing touches are being put on the concrete plaza and walkways that will provide extra viewing space, access to the bleachers and to the new concession stand.
It all began back in December when the heavy machinery started moving in and all the protective fencing went up. First, an excavator ripped up and removed the metal bleachers. Next, the underlying support structure was cleared away so all the power, fiber, and data lines could be run, plus water lines, septic systems, and drainage pipes could be installed. Those lines and systems are not only for the new grandstand area, but for a planned comfort station adjacent to the press box and a front entrance security booth that will replace the security vehicle that is now always stationed there.
Early on the morning of Saturday, December 16th, the excavator was back at work to take the old press box down. The excavator operator started at the top, and once the bucket slammed down on the structure cutting into the masonry, the tower that had been standing since the 1970s was reduced to rubble in about 12 minutes.
The new two story field building was a prefabricated modular construction. It arrived on April 16th in two sections on a flatbed truck. A massive crane lifted the first module, placing it on its foundation. The second module was lifted and stacked on top of the first, and crews followed with finishing work on the building. An outside stairway connects the two floors. The building exterior features the new updated Wildcat mascot and logo.
The top floor is the press box with three separate rooms with plenty of windows and a great view. Each room has its own heating unit and can be closed off by a door. There are a lot of power outlets, places to put computers and other equipment, and access to the roof - which is closed in by a metal railing - so games and other events can be photographed or watched from there.
The first floor is a brand new concession stand for food and, maybe, merchandise sales. “It's beautiful. There's plenty of space in there. We have water, plenty of outlets, plenty of power and plenty of light. A big tri-fold window. So if it's cold, they can close it. There's heat for the winter time. There’s going to be a small awning. So our Booster Club is really going to enjoy the site, and our fans and spectators are going to love it,” said Ken Costa, Supervisor of Administrative Services, who's been in charge of overseeing the progress of the construction.
The new bleachers provide seating for more than 1,800 people, including wheelchairs, and are ADA accessible with a new ramp. The surrounding plaza will have standing room viewing and feature The Community Walkway sponsored by the South Huntington Council of PTAs, and the Memorial Brick Walk which will surround the Senior Spirit Rock. The Community Walkway will consist of bricks that were purchased by residents and personalized with names or messages of their choice. The Memorial Brick Walk will highlight our County, Long Island and State championships over the decades.
The next phase of the project will be the comfort station adjacent to the concession stand. That is also a prefabricated building with four individual rooms, and it’s expected to be installed some time in the fall.
Digital rendering of completed plaza with Memorial Brick Walk in foreground and comfort station building in the background