normannorthstadiumrendering

A conceptual rendering of the proposed Norman North High School stadium, which is included in the Norman Public Schools $353.9 million bond proposal. The Norman Public Schools Board of Education authorized the bond election for Feb. 14. 

Norman Public Schools approved the location for Norman North High School’s football stadium in a Board of Education meeting Tuesday.  

“It's going to be cool for Norman North athletes because it'll be the first time that they get to play a true home game, right here on our campus. And so that's also exciting as well,” Justin Jones, Norman North Football coach, said. 

In a press release issued by NPS on Tuesday, the stadium is part of the district’s 2023 10-year, $353.9 million school bond. 

The approved location will be on Norman North’s current football field and would allow for easier access to weight and locker rooms. The approved plan will also use the 6.5 acres on Stubbeman Avenue for track meets. 

During the meeting, Justin Milner, the district’s associate superintendent and chief operating officer, and Gary Armbruster, owner of MA+ Architecture LLC, presented a plan to the board with two options on where to place the stadium. 

According to Armbruster, he and Milner consulted Norman North principals, athletic directors, band instructors and track, football and soccer coaches before making the stadium plans. Stakeholder goals and requests were focused primarily on having a unique game experience, a stadium capacity of 5,500 and the stadium being near existing locker and weight facilities.  

Norman North has historically shared a stadium with Norman High School. According to Coach Jones, it's common for multi-school districts to share stadiums, but, as time evolves, more schools may be given the opportunity to have a stadium of their own. 

The other potential location for the stadium included the parcel of land purchased in June as part of the 2023 bond project on the southwest corner of Stubbeman Avenue and Rock Creek Road. NPS purchased the land in June as part of the 2023 bond project. 

“The field is closer to existing locker and weight facilities; the home stands face east so you’re not looking into the sun,” Armbruster said. “With this option, we’re master planned for future growth. We can build on the north side of the stadium and have plenty of room for that and a lot of other things as we want to look to the future on how we want to expand this.”  

The soccer field will also remain in its current location, which was a concern for coaches and booster club representatives. Armbruster added that construction will be phased in a way that will not affect any of the sports.  

“The plan is really not to obstruct any sport that's in season,” Jones said. “I think there'll be very few interferences with practices or displacement of teams.” 

Administrators decided the second option would be best to secure stakeholders’ goals, according to Armbruster. The second option will be less costly at $14 million compared to the first option, which would exceed its budget by $5 million. 

According to Milner, the goal is to have the stadium completed by the 2025 Football season. 

“I think every student, and every family in Norman will benefit in some way from the package that our district has put together. So, you know, I'm very excited about the future, it's going to be fun,” Jones said. 

This story was edited by Peggy Dodd and Anusha Fathepure. Lily Battles and Avery Avery copy edited this story.



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