Sumner County Schools director updates committee on stadium, bleachers and drainage projects

Sumner County Director of Schools Dr. Langford updated the Education Committee on May 19 about multiple athletic facility projects across the district, describing progress at Hendersonville, Portland and Station Camp and saying the district had shared drone footage of the sites.

Dr. Langford said Hendersonville’s project includes moving football operations under the stadium and constructing two buildings behind the stadium — one for weight training and one for athletic training — because the campus has limited land. "Hendersonville has the most extensive work because Hendersonville is landlocked. And so we're trying to maximize space on campus," she said.

She said the district added a new baseball building after tornado-related tree loss created a window of opportunity, and that Gallatin-area teams use Dredge Creek Park because there is little space on some school campuses. Portland’s visitor stands are nearly complete, she said, and some visitor-side work at Hendersonville and Beach will continue into the summer. "Portland's about 98%, 99% done," Dr. Langford said.

Station Camp required more extensive repairs because drainage problems had been eroding the track; the district plans to fix the field crowning and re-sod areas that suffered erosion, she said. At Merrol (Merrell) High the district must coordinate planning with the City of Hendersonville for tennis-court work.

Dr. Langford told the committee the bleachers are typically delivered in numbered sections and can be erected quickly once staging and under-structure work — water and sewer connections and internal finishing — are completed. She said recent heavy rain has delayed some site work.

The committee received a link to drone footage that outlines completed work at each facility; members were encouraged to review it. No formal actions or votes were taken on the facility updates at the May 19 meeting.