By Pat Culverhouse

A Calhoun-based construction company will be turning historic Griffith Stadium into a from-the-ground-up new facility after Webster Parish School Board members awarded a contract worth just over $3.4 million Monday.

D&L of Ouachita was named low bidder for the project, coming in at a total of $3,440,000. Superintendent of Schools Johnny Rowland said completion date is expected to be one year.

“Terms call for the construction to be completed in one year and we want to hold them to that schedule,” Rowland said.

Rowland said the board also wants the new Griffith Stadium to carry forward the ambiance of the old facility.

“We told the contractors we wanted a true stadium-type facility,” he said. “We want the feel of a baseball stadium.”

Plans call for a complete reconstruction of Griffith from the ground up. Features will include a new, covered, easily accessible stadium, with press box, overlooking a new artificial turf playing surface. New fencing and lighting will be installed along with new restroom and concession areas.

Griffith Stadium began as a quarter-horse race track in the early 1900s operated by B.F. Griffith and in 1952, Minden’s city council approved a property tax to construct a municipal stadium and baseball park.

Since the late 1950s, the stadium has been a baseball center used by Minden High School, American Legion and the Minden Redbirds semi-pro teams. In 1957, the Minden Baseball Association ignited the name change honor of the contributions of B.F. Griffith Sr.

In addition to baseball, Griffith Stadium has hosted rodeos, speeches by nationally-known figures (including George Wallace of Alabama) and activities during the Webster Parish fair.

In other business Monday, board members:

• Recognized Rendi Dillard, coach and teacher at Lakeside Jr/Sr High, as Employee of the Month for May. (See photo below)
• Gave approval for three FBLA students from Lakeside and one sponsor to attend FBLA nationals in San Antonio, Texas from June 26 through July 3. Trip paid through fundraisers and donations.
• Approved budget revisions in various school system district programs and funds.
• Approved additional costs of $12,874.25 for items at the Minden High School multi-purpose building. The facility has been under construction since February, 2020.
• Heard report of trips planned by students to a variety of venues.
• Learned Webster Parish will have 41 teachers retire at the end of this school year.

Board members also approved, in globo, $231,252.80 in invoices, with funds coming from the various school district funds. Those include:

• Consolidated District 3 Maintenance Fund: $12,873.91 including $3,928 for treatment of active termites at Central Elementary; $3,848 to purchase bleachers for Central Elementary; $2,089.95 to purchase CPR  manikin training kit for Lakeside Jr/Sr High.
• District 6 One-half cent Sales Tax Fund: $94,478.44. Major payments were $36,877 to refinish gymnasium floor at Minden High; $16,296 to replace valves on chilled water system Minden High; $13,600 to replace cooling unit at J.A. Phillips Elementary; $6,033.64 to replace roll-up door with storefront door at Webster Jr. High.
• Cotton Valley Maintenance Fund: $3,950. Payments of $1,400 to install new roof drain at North Webster Upper Elementary; $250 to replace pump at North Webster Upper Elementary; $50 to replace filters on units at North Webster Upper Elementary.
• Doyline Maintenance Fund: $48,028.71. Includes $33,813.71 to upgrade classroom cameras in middle school wing of Doyline High; $6,620 to replace compressor in classroom at Doyline High; $6,220 for compressor changeout and overtime at Doyline High.
• Sarepta Maintenance Fund: $23,900. Major payment was $21,900 to prep and paint cafeteria walls at North Webster Jr. High.
• Shongaloo Building Fund: $3,338.01. Payments are $2,806.03 to install electric retraction kit at North Webster Lower Elementary; $500 to change filters at North Webster Lower Elementary; $31.98 for armored door cord for push bar at North Webster Lower Elementary.
• Springhill Maintenance Fund: $44,683.73. Payments include $27,159.95 to purchase 80 football helmets for North Webster High; $8,541.78 to convert existing steam tables from gas to electric in cafeteria at Brown Upper Elementary.