The Board of Education included all around improvements to athletic facilities around Smoky Mountain High School as one of their priorities in the meeting.
The improvements include an expansion of the track from six lanes to eight lanes, a new field house with weight rooms and locker rooms for both male and female athletes, construction of a concession stand and permanent bathrooms on the away side of the field as well as updating the press box and installing new restrooms on the home side.
A problem arises with the installing of the track around the football field. If the track were to be put around the field, some of the concrete seating on the home side would have to be taken down and could procure more cost for the county.
Architect from the Pinnacle, Randy Baker, talking to the gathered community during the joint meeting of the county Board of Commissioners and Education did not provide an estimate of cost, for both the destruction of the bleachers and the installation of the track.
The softball field in Webster, which has been a sore spot for the community since the failed remodel in 2020, will have new lights installed with plans that the field will become accessible to the public after the new field is constructed with the sports complex overhaul plans. The funds for the lighting have been provided by the Right Away Project.
Plans for a new softball field are still in the works. The board is aiming to build a new field with full facilities such as batting cages so that softball has the same facilities as the baseball field.
The location for the new softball field is not officially determined. The Jones Street property has been floated as an ideal location for the track, the softball field as well as potential tennis courts.
ADA accessibility is a prevailing issue stemming from the field all the way to the press box. No ramps are provided to access the press box and the stands.
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