Robbinsville – When the Black Knights Nation files into Big Oaks Stadium for the 2025 season, they will do so with more a more spacious facility at their disposal.
Graham County Schools Facilities Director Kevin White provided the latest details at Tuesday’s board of education meeting on plans to revamp the current home-seating configuration, which was fixed hastily last summer due to the former bleachers being condemned after failing an engineer inspection.
In a remarkable span of just 49 days, demolition of 41-year-old bleachers was performed; removal and grading was performed; a retaining wall and concrete poured; and temporary bleachers installed – saving what could have meant the unthinkable for Robbinsville football: a season of playing every game on the road, rather than under the beloved Big Oaks.
Temporary bleachers have been leased once again from Tampa-based Southeastern Seating, to get the district through this week’s baccalaureate and graduation exercises, as well as both the fall JV and varsity football slates. White hopes that once the final varsity whistles blow, however, the next phases of cosmetic changes will commence.
Some are long overdue, while some are new concepts. Included in the preliminary sketches – therefore subject to change – are:
* Bleachers will be centered on the 50-yard line and will stretch to the 10-yard lines of both the north and south end zones;
* An expanded platform in front of the concession stand, which should allow lines to form more easily;
* The cheerleader/band deck will move from the south end zone to the north, where Robbinsville warms up during its pre-game routine;
* Expansion of home sideline width between bleachers and field to 14 ½ feet, providing better visibility;
* Upgrades to bring ramps throughout the stadium into compliance with Americans with Disabilities guidelines (the facility was grandfathered in when the ADA act was passed in 1990).
The current sketches have spacing in-between rows at 2 ½ feet. There will also be a 5-foot-wide lower walkway just above the sideline at the bottom of the structure.
The seating capacity will be configured for 2,172 fans; there will be 17 wheelchair spots, as well.
Gift from the heart
The Graham County Educational Academy did more than simply take its turn in the rotation to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting.
Superintendent Angie Knight is down to her last two meetings, as her retirement becomes effective July 1. A pair of students from the academy – Emmanuel Conde and Cecelia Maney – gifted Knight with a hand-made quilt, crafted by those at the school.
Conde read a speech prior to the unveiling; Knight was moved to tears by the gesture.
“To watch where you guys have come from, to where you’re at, is probably the best watch I’ve had,” Knight said.