Upgrades on deck for Phil Welch following stadium analysis
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A structural analysis of St. Joseph's historic ballpark has helped identify key improvements that officials plan to tackle after the upcoming Mustangs season.
City councilmembers authorized a $613,000 contract on Monday with Lawhon Construction for the Phil Welch Stadium Structural Improvements Project using Parks Sales Tax funds.
"The original project was to replace the concrete and the bleacher area of the stadium. Before we could do that, we had to have a structural analysis of the steel structure that supports the concrete," St. Joseph Parks, Recreation and Civic Facilities Director Jeff Atkins said.
The total budget for the project is $769,868 to account for additional change orders if they become necessary. Planned improvements will help strengthen a number of foundational components for the 86-year-old stadium, which has undergone widespread renovations in recent years.
The stadium most recently added a new $130,000 video scoreboard for the upcoming season that kicks off on May 28. Atkins said structural improvements will begin after the season concludes.
"What we found out is when that structure was built back in the 1940s, a lot of the building standards, structural standards have changed," Atkins said. "What this will allow us to do is to bring the steel structure that served the stadium up to modern codes."
Reinforcement of multiple stadium support beams -- which have exceeded capacity and require additional bracing -- will pave the way for large sections of concrete slabs that support stadium seating to be replaced in the process.
Concrete replacement will primarily occur on the first base side of the stadium to address leaks that have been affecting the office and concessions area below, followed by the installation of new bleacher seating, an amount that will be dictated by remaining funds.
The Mustangs are set to face off against the NEMO Craze for their home opener at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28.
Tickets can be purchased at stjoemustangs.com/purchase-tickets.
