Too near home to turn back now

Robbinsville – As officials, administrators and contractors alike stood over the two new retaining walls that have been erected to support new seating at Big Oaks Stadium on Monday, a certain air of confidence lingered in the strategy session.

It is remarkable to see the work that has been done to give the home-side bleachers at the famed venue a much-needed (and even required) facelift before the start of the 2023 season. Demolition of the old seating began around 1:30 p.m., June 29; by that same time the following day, nothing was left of the bleachers that were first set in place in 1981.

In a span of 35 days, the community and two different government entities have shown perhaps the strongest thread of unity ever seen in Graham County – all in the name of the culture of Friday nights in the fall, spent with Black Knights football.

But the topic of fencing sparked a lengthy conversation Tuesday, with the Graham County Board of Education opening up the floor to a pair of principals for discussion at its regular meeting. Robbinsville Middle School Principal Tonia Walsh was wrapping up her monthly report to the board when she mentioned the need for fencing amidst the announcement that construction on a new 10 feet by 32 feet stand for cheerleaders was underway.

Robbinsville High School Principal David Matheson said the old fencing around the seating area was torn down, but the mesh itself is still useable: the poles are not.

“That’s one thing we have to have – they will not open the stadium without that safety fence up in the front,” Matheson noted.

Fencing will also be installed alongside the ends of the bleachers and preventive barriers to keep anyone from gaining unauthorized access below the seating has been discussed, which is expanding from a capacity of roughly 1,500 to 1,600 with the aluminum system on order.

Additionally, fans can enjoy a slight increase in space around the home concession stand, as the renovation widens the area by roughly 2 to 3 feet.

“We have had some very hardworking people that have been there every day,” Walsh said.

“We could never repay any of them for the time they have put in and the money they have invested,” Matheson added.

Before the stadium was condemned May 15 – following an engineering inspection that confirmed dangerous shifts and subsequent cracks had formed in the area – Matheson said Tuesday that a new record board for conference, regional and state titles had been ordered; as well as a new welcome sign. Both currently rest on a pair of telephone poles in the south end zone, but schools maintenance worker Patrick Nichols noticed the signs moving Monday.

It seems the recent, heavy rainfall had rotted the base of the undated poles.

And yes, that too will be addressed.

The ticket stand just below the poles has also been damage from the rapid descent of water drainage – a tent will likely be set up to sell tickets at the lower gate.

Where there is a will, there is a way.

Installation of fencing, a concrete pad and 1,600 seats might take months to complete if a lack of motivation to move quickly exists.

But this is Graham County and this is Black Knights football. Robbinsville’s junior varsity team will christen the new seating by hosting Mountain Heritage in exactly two weeks (6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17); the varsity will follow with the season debut against East Surry at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 17.

Other news and notes

* David Haney presented the board with several letters of recommendation, to rename the wrestling building at the high school in honor of former coach Todd Odom. Haney is serving in his fourth stint as Robbinsville High School’s head coach and pitched the area based off Odom’s dedication to Black Knights wrestling. “There have been three or four people that have told me Todd Odom saved their lives,” Haney said. “It’s very appropriate that we name the facility after him.” The board was swiftly persuaded and after closed session, issued a 5-0 nod in favor of the action;

* Emily Wehr was unanimously approved as the new Robbinsville cross-country coach. Jessica Wehr will serve as the assistant coach. Emily’s appointment to the position fills the void left by the departure of Kaitlyn Carringer-Adams in June, as the Lady Knights alumna accepted the same position at Maryville (Tenn.) College.