This past week the updates to Memorial Stadium were put to the test.

With the Special Olympics, AISA state track meet and Selma Invitational, the stadium has seen as many people this week as half a football season and it stood up exceptionally.

On more than one occasion this week, a track coach from one school or the next came up to me to let me know how much they thought of the improvements made to the stadium, particularly the stands and the bathrooms.

While its still a little ways from being finished, the work done already has been remarkable and much needed for the 60-year old structure which houses the Selma High School football team.

Just as the renovations to its neighbor, Bloch Park were done in time to see the start of baseball season, expectations to have Memorial Stadium done by the first kickoff are still there.

Even if not every renovation is done, everything needed for an excellent game experience is already there and most likely completed.

These renovations were needed for the fans and team alike.

It’s hard playing in an old stadium where the fans don’t feel comfortable and, as any athlete can tell you, if the fans aren’t enjoying the game, it makes it that much harder to compete.

The changes have and will continue to make everyone’s game experience that much more enjoyable.

Who knows, maybe the work done will give the old building another 50 years of game experience.

So thank you to the people who have been working very hard out there with little appreciation.

It is noticed, I promise.