Graham County approves $2M purchase of Knight Street parcel; $1M earmarked for stadium upgrades

GRAHAM COUNTY, N.C. — On Aug. 5, 2025, the Graham County Board of Commissioners and the Graham County Board of Education approved a contract to sell 3.4 acres on Knight Street for $2,000,000, with $1,000,000 of the sale proceeds earmarked for upgrades to Big Oaks Stadium.

Assistant Superintendent David Matheson described the agreement, saying, "this news is very exciting, the land will be set aside for a new Justice Center and the School will have much needed capital with the repairs of the Big Oaks Stadium." Matheson said the boards have been working with LSP Architects to develop a plan to rework the stadium.

Attorney J.K. Coward summarized the contract terms and noted that the official Board of Education minutes will be attached to the contract as a record of proof. The Board of Education moved to approve the contract; Member Snider made the motion, Member Carringer seconded and the vote was unanimous. The county commissioners then voted to accept the land acquisition as presented; Chair Meggan Smith made the motion, Commissioner Lynn Cody seconded and the vote was unanimous.

According to the boards, $1,000,000 of the purchase price is earmarked specifically for bringing Big Oaks Stadium up to Americans with Disabilities Act standards and installing permanent bleachers. The transcript states the remaining proceeds "will be put into the general fund and will not be earmarked," leaving the school discretion to use those funds as needed.

Attorney Coward asked both chairs to sign the contract and asked Clerk Kim Crisp to attest for the county and Superintendent Robert Moody to attest for the school. Chair Meggan Smith thanked the Board of Education for working with the county on the transaction. The boards then adjourned by unanimous vote.

No additional funding sources, implementation timelines for the stadium work, or a schedule for constructing the Justice Center were specified in the meeting record.