Pearl River Central High School’s football bleachers will be renovated in time for football season.

The Pearl River County School Board of Trustees met Thursday to discuss the demolition project, which would tear down the

deteriorating bleachers located at the middle of the football field’s home team’s side, Superintendent Alan Lumpkin said.

“The metal underneath section of the bleachers is rusting and the bolts are rusting and coming out,” Lumpkin said. “When you walk or sit on the bleachers, they’re starting to give way. It’s just an unsafe environment for fans and spectators.”

This past year, Lumpkin said there was an incident where one of the metal railings located in the section fell down.

“We started inspecting the bleachers since that incident, and we fixed the railing, but instead of taking chances, we need to repair that section as soon as possible,” he said.

The board approved contractor Bean Excavating to manage the project. The company will begin the demolition project in the coming week without charging the school district a single penny.

“The project would’ve normally cost $40,000, but the company is willing to do the demolition for free,” he said. “They told us they will make their money from the scrap metal.”

Once the demolition is complete, Lumpkin said they plan to move the rest of the home side’s bleachers, which are still in good condition, to the visitor’s side in order to expand the visitor’s seating area.

“So the home side will consist of completely new bleachers,” Lumpkin said.

Currently, the school district is receiving contractor bids for the new bleachers, he said.

The entire project is expected to be finished in time for football season, which begins in August.

“It will depend on the weather and other factors, but we have a good timeline to get the project finished,” he said. “The safety of fans coming out to support the Blue Devils is important.”