The Durham Board of County Commissioners approved the renovations to the Durham County Memorial Stadium on February 23, 2009 with a total project budget of $8,206,833.  This is the first major renovation to the facility since it was built in 1959.  The project scope includes installation of an artificial turf football and soccer playing field, a high school level track and field facility, new public restrooms and concession buildings, a new, expanded press box and public function area, renovations to the existing restrooms, concessions, and locker rooms within the grandstands, and significant ADA improvements throughout the facility.  The stadium is the long-standing home field of the Northern High School “Knights” football team and hosts a number of other events including Semi-Pro, Pop Warner, and   Collegiate Football, Lacrosse, band practices, carnivals and science fairs. The renovations will take place in three phases. 

Phase one, which began in April, 2009, consists of the artificial turf football and soccer playing field, new scoreboard, storage facility, and a high school level track and field facility.   The artificial turf playing field remains on target for completion prior to the start of the 2009 Northern High School football season on August 28, 2009.  The track and field facility will consist of an 8-lane track as well as field events for long and triple jump, high jump, pole vault, steeple chase, discus, shotput, and javelin.  The track and field and storage facility improvements are scheduled for completion in November 2009.

Phase two, which began simultaneously with phase one, consists of new outbuildings for the south grandstand containing public restrooms, concessions buildings and ticket booths.  Also, this phase will implement landscaping improvements and new paved ADA parking spaces for both north and south grandstands.  Phase two is scheduled for completion in May, 2010. 

Phase three, scheduled to begin upon the completion of the 2009 football season, consists of the renovation of the existing locker rooms, public restrooms, and concession stands within the north and south grandstands as well as the construction of a new, expanded press box facility. The press box facility will be ADA compliant and include elevator access, open and enclosed viewing areas, two coaches’ boxes, media/broadcast booth, announcer/scoring booth, and video deck.  All enclosed spaces will be heated and air conditioned.  Additional ADA seating will be implemented at multiple locations throughout the grandstands.   Other facility improvements include a stadium manager’s office, new stadium seat covers, a new PA system, as well as general facility repairs and renovations.  Phase three is scheduled for completion in August 2010.