Although they are badly deteriorated, the home bleachers are not the only problem that caused city inspectors to condemn East Ridge High School's Raymond James Stadium.
A report from the city of East Ridge Division of Building Codes also cited large cracks that run from the seating areas into the locker room and coaches' offices below, rust on steel columns "possibly compromising the integrity of the designed load," broken and badly weathered concrete steps and a press box with loose ladders and rotted wood railings. Other problems with the facility include the cheerleader area railings, which are only 22 inches high.
"We are requiring a structural engineer to report on the structure, and the (more serious) life safety items to be corrected before use of the stadium," according to the letter, which was signed by East Ridge chief building official Brad Hayen and city fire marshal Kenny Custer.
"We believe the stadium to have possible structural and present life safety issues that need to be addressed and corrected to maintain the safe operation," the two officials wrote in the concluding paragraph of their letter.
Pictures provided with the report include one showing someone standing with one foot in a hole that is well over ankle-deep.
The situation prompted the school's move of the Pioneers' first home game against Signal Mountain this Friday to the Baylor School's Heywood Stadium.
Lee McDade, Hamilton County Schools assistant superintendent, made an inspection last Friday.
"The stadium has a couple of issues: one being the concrete has deteriorated, and cracks are visible in the (supporting) block work," he said. "The school system will pay for the fixes if that's an option; don't know about a demo cost yet."
He said he believed an engineer was at the school Monday but he hadn't yet received a report.
On Sunday, McDade said he didn't know if the stadium could be patched enough to get through the season.
"If it's structurally sound, we'll go from there," he said. "If not, we'll have to see. I don't want to speculate."
The issues with the stadium have been addressed previously, said former coach Tim James, the son of the stadium's namesake. He recalled steel support beams being installed in the late 1980s.
Another former coach, Mike Martin, who is now assistant principal and athletic director at Sweetwater High School, was surprised that coaches and players were still being allowed to use the office and locker rooms.
He recalled some issues that had to be addressed during his tenure (2008-11).
"The concrete was deteriorating. I can remember there were some openings around the steps we had to put some covering over," he said. "And I remember a group - I don't recall what church or civic group they were with - was pressure-washing the (stadium's home stands) and had to stop because of the concrete being displaced.
"I think it's one of the oldest stadiums in Chattanooga, so I wouldn't think (problems) would be that big a shock."
The stadium was built in 1959, using precast, "pre-stressed" concrete slabs that were touted as a timesaver in a news report from The Chattanooga Times during the construction. Once the slabs were delivered, it took only two and a half days to set them in place, according to the story. The bid for the 3,000-seat grandstand was a little over $112,000.
East Ridge football coach Tracy Malone said he has been asked to refer all questions to McDade.
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfree press.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.