UPDATE: Kansas Wesleyan officials have announced that the opening of Graves Family Sports Complex has been delayed once again.

John Elmore, Director of Communications for the University, tells the Salina Post that activities at the stadium will now begin the last week of September. “We are now looking toward being able to use the new stadium for Homecoming Week, starting Monday, September 28. Certainly by our Homecoming Football game on Saturday, October 3,” he said.

Sacred Heart High School, who was originally scheduled to open the stadium with a football game against Beloit on September 18th, has been informed of the additional delay and has made arrangements to play that game at Bethany College in Lindsborg.

According to Kansas Wesleyan’s website, the construction process has encountered the delays due to unforeseen existing conditions at the stadium site, plus heavy rains over the summer made the area too muddy for concrete work.  The construction team discovered an unmarked city pipe in the path of the planned sewage pipe from the stadium to the city sewer line. With the delay, the university has decided to change the scheduled events around the opening of the stadium to allow fans to plan in advance to attend the dedication event.

The dedication of the new Gene Bissell Field, honoring legendary head coach Gene Bissell, will take place on Saturday, October 3, as part of the Homecoming festivities, prior to the 6 p.m. game between the Coyotes and longtime rival, McPherson College.

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Original Story:

Renovations to KWU’s football stadium are nearing completion.

Installation began Tuesday morning on a new scoreboard at the Graves Family Sports Complex. This is one of the last phases of the project, which is scheduled to be completed in time for the Coyotes’ September 19th home game against Sterling College. The Sacred Heart Knights will host their first game at the facility on September 18th against Beloit.

More than 1,900 fans will be able to enjoy all the action at Gene Bissell Field from a brand new seating complex.

Click on any image below to see the stadium’s current progress.