Alamo Stadium renovations getting underway

SAISD's kicks off $35 million facelift with ground breaking ceremony

SAN ANTONIO – It's the end of an era and a new start for San Antonio Independent School District's Alamo Stadium Complex.

Thursday night, school leaders officially kicked off the $35 million renovation that was approved by voters as part of the district's 2010 bond package.

"Tonight is the last official ceremony inside the Convocation Center," Maclovio Perez, SAISD bond communications manager, said. "The Alamo Stadium complex is going to close its doors to the public for about a year and half."

Perez said the renovations are set to begin Friday. It is the most significant renovation in the stadium's 72-year history.

While there was plenty of turmoil and hurt feelings during the redesign process, Perez said when the project is complete this athletic complex will be something the whole community can be proud of.

Because it has been designated as a State Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, key portions of the complex will be preserved, including the rock walls.

The stadium is getting a major facelift and so is the convocation center. A big part of the project includes updating the 72-year-old infrastructure.

Since there are a lot of memories attached to the complex, the SAISD Foundation is offering people a chance to own a piece of the "Rock Pile."

"As you know, we're going to take out a lot of construction debris. Well, part of that debris is the Alamo stadium turf (and) we're going to be able to sell pieces of the turf to anyone who wants a piece of memorabilia," Perez said.

Work on the stadium and convocation center is expected to take an entire year. The goal is to have everything finished in early 2014.