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McKissick Associates designed the new Harman-Geist Stadium at the existing site in the heart of downtown Hazleton.
The Hazleton Area School District's Cougar football team christened the refurbished field the night of its dedication with an impressive victory over Pleasant Valley.
McKissick Associates is a family-owned firm providing architectural and design services with specialization in educational facility design & planning, historic preservation and sustainable "green" design.
McKissick Associates
Simonton Mansion
317 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
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tel: (717) 238-6810
fax: (717) 238-6830
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Paula Mann, Marketing Coordinator
pmann@mckissickassociates.com
McKissick Associates
Piedmont Leaf Lofts
401 East 4th Street, Suite 203
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
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tel: (336) 722-6152
fax: (336) 722-6192
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David Watkins, Office Manager
dwatkins@mckissickassociates.com
McKissick Associates participated in the rededication of the $3.2 million Harman-Geist Stadium on September 16, 2005, almost 80 years to the day it originally opened. The project is the first phase of more than $9 million in sports projects currently under construction for the school district by McKissick Associates, one of central Pennsylvania's fastest growing architectural firms.
Although originally slated for abandonment in favor of a new site outside the city, as a vote of faith, the rebuilt complex remains located in the heart of downtown Hazleton. The new facility features a PIAA regulation soccer/football sized artificial playing surface, by FieldTurf, as well as the installation of new TV broadcast capable sports lighting, extensive video/security systems, and more than $100,000 in sound systems. Also included was the reconstruction of the deteriorated historic stonewall surrounding the stadium with a new combination of manmade stone piers and wrought iron fencing. Yet to be completed for the 2006 season, are a new press box, field house upgrades and handicapped accessibility upgrades to the WPA Era bleachers. The new complex has had an immediate impact on the students notes McKissick. "The Hazleton Area High School Cougars who were not expected to break 500 this year, are now first in their league."
Located in the heart of Pennsylvania's anthracite coal-producing region, Hazleton is noted for turning out first-class athletes, particularly on the football field. According to Vern L. McKissick, AIA and principal of McKissick Associates, "Hazleton is literally built upon the coal industry in the region. Number 3 Hill, near Harman-Geist Stadium, was originally the site of a coal breaker and village - one of many coal industry sites, which are now part of the city of Hazleton."
Also included in the $35 million renovation and construction initiative being overseen by McKissick Associates for the Hazleton Area School District, which covers multiple municipalities, are plans for improving the High School's athletic facilities. Adjacent to the Hazleton High School construction of the $5.1 million Hazleton Area Sports Complex is underway for a spring 2006 completion and includes construction of a full all-weather track and field complex along with seven new practice/competition fields as well as a new field house. The new sports complex is being constructed on a reclaimed parcel, which was formerly a landfill for coal ash and other debris, and will be capped by fill to mitigate any potential hazards, and subsequently create level playing surfaces. McKissick added, "This is reclamation and recovery of terrain that was previously unusable and demonstrates the Hazleton Area School District's commitment to environmental responsibility."
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