Guthrie Public Schools To Hold Ground Breaking For Jelsma Stadium

GUTHRIE, OK (April 8, 2005) - - Tuesday, April 12 will be a historic day for Guthrie, Oklahoma as Guthrie Public Schools and the citizens of Guthrie break ground on the renovation project for 70 year-old Jelsma Stadium. School, city and community leaders will be in attendance for this official ceremony, which is also open to the public. The event will be held at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 12 at Jelsma Stadium.

"This is going to be a great day for not only Guthrie Public Schools, but for our Board members, the students, parents and community of Guthrie who have worked so diligently on this project," said Terry Simpson, Superintendent of Guthrie Public Schools. "Jelsma is already considered a historical treasure, but now it will also become one of the finest football facilities in the State of Oklahoma."

Originally built in 1936 as a WPA project, Jelsma Stadium will be updated and modernized while retaining the historical elements that make it so special to the community of Guthrie.

kerr 3 design group, inc., the architectural firm for the project, is completing the design for Jelsma Stadium and construction is set to begin immediately. 

"Members of the staff and Board of Education have been meeting weekly with architect Terry Kerr and kerr 3 design group," said Simpson. "Everyone had input in the process, and Jelsma is going to be a beautiful stadium when it's complete."

Work will begin quickly with removal of the field surface and demolition of existing structures. The sandstone walls that make Jelsma Stadium famous will be retained in the renovation, while new structures will contain a historic look with sandstone accents. 

Located in Edmond, Oklahoma for 28 years, kerr 3 design group, inc. has sought to design buildings such that the client's mission is visibly evident. Architect Terry Kerr's goal for design is to make certain the finished product represents the client's goals, dreams, and vision. kerr 3 design group inc. projects include the OmniDome Theater, Zahl-Ford, Inc., AFL-CIO Oklahoma, the Main Fire Station in Guthrie, Oklahoma, and Transport Worker's Union Local 514 in Tulsa.