New $60 Million Allen H.S. Football Field Complete
ALLEN (CBSDFW.COM) - The City of Allen is about to take high school athletics to a whole new level. The school district is about to open a new $60 million football stadium. The facility is being called one of the best in the country.
If high school football is a religion in Texas, then the new Allen Eagles stadium will soon be a shrine.
"This is probably the best high school stadium in the nation," said Christian Herr, with PBK Architects.
Herr is one of the architects putting the finishing touches on the facility.
The new stadium is three times bigger than the old one and will seat 18,000 fans.
Things are even cushy for boosters and members of the media. The pressroom and private boxes alone offer views and luxuries that rival some college football stadiums.
There's even a huge, below ground weight room and adjacent indoor practice field.
"Ever since I was little I've always want to play here and since they got the new stadium it's just an added bonus and really we're just pretty fortunate," Allen Eagles quarterback Oliver Pierce said.
The players say the stadium will make a difference and hopefully translate into success on the field.
Tackle Brad North said, "It definitely helps us in the process of kicking tail. And the fans they are going to play a big part in that role."
The adult point of view was a little more even handed.
"The pressure in Allen is always high," football coach Tom Westerberg said. "Expectations are always high and so whether the stadium was here, whether or not this is just a little more publicity I guess. The pressure is always there."
The Eagles open their season at the end of the month against another football powerhouse -- Southlake Carroll.
