Cecilia area officials are planning a ribbon cutting ceremony for the spanking new CHS Bulldog Football Stadium before Friday’s opening season game against St. Martinville.
The ceremony marking the start of a new Cecilia tradition is set for 4:30 p.m. Fans will be able to tour the new field and facilities until 5:30 when preparations begin for the game.
The new field is located directly behind (north) the main classroom/office complex.
At 6:45 families of past coaches will release balloons in honor of their loved ones’ contributions to Cecilia High athletics.
The Bulldogs will renew their parish rivalry with the St. Martinville Tigers at 7 p.m. in a non-district contest.
The entrance fee for the ceremony and game is $7, and the first 100 Bulldog fans will receive a free commemorative T-shirt.
$6.3 Million
The new field, stadium and concession stand/ticket booth/restrooms represent an expenditure of just over $6.3 million.
Contractors had to drain, excavate and fill in the school’s old oxidation pond to accommodate the new field.
And unlike the artificial turf improvements made at Breaux Bridge and St. Martinville in recent years, the CHS stadium includes completely new bleachers, state-of-the-art lighting and a spacious new press box as well as the brick combination ticket booth/concession stand/restrooms.
Like the artificial turf fields at Breaux Bridge and St. Martinville, the new Cecilia field includes lineage for use by the school’s soccer teams.
Parking
Not included in the plans or cost of the new facility is a parking area on the north side of the field.
Parking for Cecilia fans will be in the front lot of the school.
Visitors are advised to park in the area between the softball field and the stadium, accessible via Madeline Blvd. and/or Red Barn Road.
Parking is also available on the grassy lot on the east side of the school directly in front of the new ticket booth.
Deputies with the St. Martin Sheriff’s Office will assist with parking.
