Here are the details of the $4 million upgrade to Caddo's Lee Hedges football stadium

Football referees officiating contests at Lee Hedges Stadium will no longer have to spend time post-game dressing and showering at a local hotel after Thursday morning’s ribbon cutting ceremony at the stadium under the direction of the Caddo School system and Willis Knighton Health System.

The event celebrated a $4 million facelift to certain areas at the stadium, including upgraded locker rooms, restrooms, shower stations and the re-vamped room for officials that did not previously offer the ability to shower.

The renovations received a $3 million influx from WK in exchange for exclusive use of its sports medicine providers at athletic events involving Caddo schools.

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“About two years ago we were looking at ways we could improve our relationship with Caddo Parish Schools,” WK CEO Jaf Fielder told the USA TODAY Network. “We talked with (Caddo superintendent) Lamar Goree and some of the administrators and came up with the partnership to do some significant remodeling of Lee Hedges Stadium, which has been needed for several years. We’re proud to bring this operation back up to par for the fans and for the student-athletes in Shreveport-Bossier.”

The program included performances by the Southwood band, the Captain Shreve cheerleaders and the Byrd danceline. All three of those schools call Lee Hedges their home field. Shreve principal Bryant Sepulvado played in the stadium, coached in the stadium and now administrates for home games in the facility.

“This is a great thing for Caddo Parish. It serves a lot of students,” Sepulvado said. “I remember playing here when it was Caddo Stadium, then it turned into Lee Hedges. This has been a focal point for the parish and a stadium that means something. You think about all the people who have played here since 1967.There’s been a lot of great tradition and great athletes.”

Byrd principal Jerry Badgley said one of the biggest differences is doubling the size of the player lockerooms.

“I remember before the jamboree when Mr. (Anthony) Tisdale took pictures of all our players in there and how small it was,” Badgley said. “It was perfectly okay when I played football here. We didn’t know any difference, but that was a very long time ago. We’re glad to have these improvements.”

Goree, who will be leaving soon to run a school district in Duncanville, Texas, said this was a day he had dreamed about. Football teams were not allowed to play in the stadium last fall due to the renovations and that caused tremendous eruption of schedules forcing seniors not to close out their careers on their home field.

“I’m excited to welcome our community back into our beloved Lee Hedges field,” Goree said. “We knew not playing there would have an impact. But your gift was a sacrifice for so many students to come behind you.”

Here’s what was enhanced

• Renovated locker rooms that have doubled in size to better meet athlete needs

• Enhanced restrooms for both women and men

• Creation of family restrooms on both the home and visitor sides

• Updated water and shower stations throughout

Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Here are the details of the $4 million upgrade to Caddo's Lee Hedges football stadium