Renderings unveiled for new athletic facilities at Byrnes High School

DUNCAN, S.C. (WSPA) – The football stadium at James F. Byrnes High School hasn’t been updated in almost half a century, according to a Spartanburg School District 5 spokesperson.

It was built when the school was built in 1955, and last updated in 1980 . Now, the school might get a new stadium and football field, according to renderings unveiled at Monday’s District 5 School Board Meeting.

Architects with Greenville-based McMillan Pazdan Smith showed off several final renderings of what a new athletic facility would look at Byrnes.

A new football stadium with seating for almost 8,000 people, a larger parking lot accommodating at least 100 more vehicles than what the current stadium parking lot can handle, a spectator entrance plaza, upgraded concession and ticket stands, a turf football field, a track and field storage shed, new locker room facilities and a security room were just a few of the amenities featured in the presentation.

It’s a game plan board members know is needed but also one some board members are scrutinizing, not because they don’t think the school doesn’t need the upgrades, but because they want to make sure the upgrades benefit both the student-athletes and the spectators.

Board member Mark Cleveland, who said the renderings were “beautiful,” asked the architect who presented the renderings, what the plan was to ensure people didn’t congregate around the plaza, making it harder to navigate.

“I want to make sure that when we spend all this money, that beautiful gateway is kept clear of people congregating,” said Cleveland.

Other board members inquired about what changes Byrnes’ administration and Byrnes’ athletic staff suggested from what the architectural firm had originally drawn up.

“Changes were minor” said Ryan Cloonan, an architect with McMillan Pazdan Smith, during his presentation to the school board.

A Spartanburg School District 5 spokesperson said if the board were to vote to approve the construction project, the earliest any work would be performed would likely be after the current school year ends.

However, at least two seasons of sports would be impacted if construction began this year.

Meaning home football games would need to be played at a different facility and track workouts would need to be done in a different location than usual.

It’s a move some future Rebel student-athlete hopefuls say won’t negatively impact their work ethic.

“I don’t think it’ll impact me at all because I’m still going to give it my all anyways,” said Myles Heatherly, a middle school student.

“It doesn’t really matter to me,” said Bryson Stiffel, a middle school student. “It doesn’t matter who you play or where you play, you do your best wherever [you] play.”

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