By Michael Butler

The Tallassee High School graduating class will have commencement exercises at Wetumpka’s new Hohenberg Stadium on Friday at 8 p.m. The decision to move the event from Tallassee was made Monday afternoon.

“I hate it for the seniors and senior parents that they won’t be able to experience graduation at J.E. “Hot” O’Brien Stadium,” said Tallassee City Schools Superintendent Dr. Brock Nolin. “When you’re trying to make progress, sometimes things don’t work out exactly as you want them to, especially in construction projects. Lord knows I’ve lived that myself, trying to complete a high school over several years.”

The prescription turf project at O’Brien Stadium began in February and was slated for completion by April 18.

“They’re trying to do three different projects at one time,” Nolin added, referencing new turf being added at Holtville and Elmore County High Schools as well. “You can’t plan for weather or lead times for materials. That’s the same old song we’ve been singing for five years. That’s reality.”

Both Holtville and Elmore County did complete their projects in time to have graduation on their home fields.

“The flip side is, there is zero percent chance of rain,” Nolin noted. “It should be a very nice evening in Wetumpka. They have a really nice facility. Seniors will be able to invite as many people as they want. Everyone will sit on Wetumpka’s home side. There is plenty of parking.”

Nolin started putting a contingency plan together months back when the possibility of O’Brien Stadium not being ready came to light. Another alternative location consideration has been the THS Performing Arts Center, but that would limit seating.

“Richard Dennis and I are good friends,” Nolin said of the Elmore County Schools superintendent. “At the time, Eclectic and Holtville were under construction, so it made the most sense. The auditorium is the third option. We can sit 644, but we have a large senior class this year. It would be four tickets per student.”

Wetumpka’s Hohenberg Stadium was completed in 2020 at a cost of approximately $21 million. It is located at the Wetumpka Sports Complex off of Highway 14.