Pop Keeney facelift heads for home

The new grandstand on the visitors' side has been erected, the masonry for the two new locker rooms and concession stand has been completed and bulldozers are leveling the land around Pop Keeney Stadium that will eventually become a 500-car parking lot. But there is still much more to be done by Sierra Construction workers as they toil feverishly to meet their September 2 target date.

"We're on schedule but it's a very tight schedule," said the project manager who was reluctant to give his name.

It's all a part of the $9.8 million make over jointly funded by the city of Bothell and the Northshore School District's 2010 capital projects bond. Six 100-foot light towers will be installed any day now - three on each side of the current astroturf field that will be replaced by field turf in mid-July. The old turf is currently a staging area for equipment and materials.

It's the third remodel in the 40 year history of the Bothell stadium, according to the district's "sports complex specialist" - who was also reluctant to have his name in print.

Seating capacity will remain at 4,500, he said, with three new restroom facilities containing a combined 48 toilets and 14urinals- three times more than the previous arrangement.

A patio for booster club sales tables is adjacent to the concession stand on the north end. Other amenities will include a coaching box atop the visitors' grandstand, a referees' room with shower facilities, an arched main entrance with two ticket booths at the northwest comer and a new handicap ramp.

The home grandstand remains unchanged.

NSD Capital Projects Director Evan Ujiiye is optimistic the project will meet its target date with football season approaching.

"If the weather holds up we have a pretty good shot," he said.

Woodinville hosts Mount Si in a non conference game on Thursday, September 2. Inglemoor hosts Snohomish on Friday, September 3.