EPISD approves new stadium for Jefferson High School

The El Paso Independent School District’s board of trustees approved a new stadium for Jefferson High School Tuesday evening.

The high school was established in 1949 and has never had its own home turf. Jefferson High School Principal Fred Rojas told ABC-7 that it is something the students deserve.

For the last 60 years, the Jefferson football team would use neighboring Bowie High School’s stadium as its “home” field on Friday nights in the fall.

“This is history in the making,” Rojas said, telling ABC-7 not having a stadium came with some disadvantages.

“We had to walk to our home games,” Rojas said, “Safety was a concern, and coming back was a concern, too.”

Trustees allocated $2.8 million for the new stadium and softball field.

The money comes from the bond election approved by voters in 2007.

The district says the money was initially set aside for a new high school. But after seeing a drop in attendance within the district, trustees decided to fund the stadium instead.

“There was a bit of frustration with the process. This is something that’s been in the making for a long time. It’s been in the works for two-and-a-half years,” Rojas said.

The approval for the stadium did come with drawbacks. It was initially expected to seat 6,000 people, but space constraints are limiting the capacity to 3,000.

Flores has his sights set on the future of the stadium.

“It’s not just football that’s going to benefit from this, it’s going to be soccer, it’s going to be track, it’s going to be band. We’re going to be able to have those events on campus for the first time ever,” Rojas said.

Plans for the stadium will also include concession stands and walkways.

Construction is expected to begin next month and is expected to be completed within a year.