About 30 inmates began demolition work at Gerald Prim Stadium Monday morning at 8 a.m. as preparations begin for a total remodel of the stadium. Their work and the use of various materials from the demolition will save school and county tax payers well over $100,000 according to Dan Froneburger with SSISD and Sheriff-elect Lewis Tatum.
Inmates were removing chain-linked fence, posts and gates and will remove the air conditioning units and metal structures at the stadium. Those items will be used to construct chicken coops and an enclosed outdoor area for the chickens, according to Tatum. Tatum stated that Pilgrims will provide laying hens for the county farm that inmates are currently constructing near the gardens that have been planted. They are also cutting the sod at the field. The grass will be used in renovation work at the Lady Cat Softball Field and some will be sold to individuals with the money being reinvested in the stadium upgrade.
According to Froneburger, Como-Pickton CISD has purchased a section of stadium seats. He said the county labor has led to the only expenditure of hard hats and safety glasses for the inmates. Light poles at Prim will be moved to Lady Cat Softball as well. Construction on the new Prim will begin in January, 2017. He said the inmates that are working the demolition know what they are doing.
