Fans of the Kings Mountain High School Mountaineers packed out a newly-upgraded Shu Carlton Stadium on Wednesday night.

The high school football team’s annual Black and Gold Scrimmage served as the ribbon cutting and unveiling of six months of work at the city-owned stadium.

“There was a lot of excitement over the renovations,” City Manager Marilyn Sellers said.

The upgrades at the stadium included the addition of a press box, making the stadium handicap accessible with ramps and handrails and adding gates and a fence between the field and the stands. The city also graded, painted and added a concrete terrace to the stadium.

The city completed most of the renovations using in-house labor. About 75 percent of the work was done by city employees.

“I really want to brag on the staff and how they came together to make this happen. They did a great job,” Sellers said.

Located at 123 S. Gaston St., Shu Carlton Stadium is home to the Kings Mountain Optimists’ Pop Warner football league, as well as the Kings Mountain Force, a semi-pro football team playing in the World Developmental Football League.

Mayor Scott Neisler said the stadium is a prime example of partnerships that advance the quality of life in Kings Mountain, as the city’s investment in the stadium provides a better space for youth sports and allows the Kings Mountain Force to bring the community together for games.

“It’s all about working together for all of us to benefit,” Neisler said.

The Kings Mountain Force’s involvement in the east coast division of the World Developmental Football League has also had a positive impact, according to Neisler. Teams travel from across the region to compete at Shu Stadium and often stay for longer than the length of their game.

“You have an opportunity for tourism to get involved, with people coming and putting heads down on beds in the hotel rooms,” Neisler said.

 

Source:gastongazette.com

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