Kingston debuts its new look tonight

CEDAR RAPIDS - A hard-hat area the past five months, Kingston Stadium is now a haven for helmets and pads.Renovation is complete. Football awaits.Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Cedar Rapids Xavier christen the old stadium's new surface tonight in a Mississippi Valley Conference encounter. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15.“It's a state-of-the-art facility now,” said Jefferson Coach Jim Womochil. “When our guys went out there (for practice), I think they were a little awe-stricken.”The natural grass, generally torn up by the beginning of October, has been replaced by FieldTurf. The project included lighting improvements, construction of two public restrooms, concrete restoration, and remodeling of two restrooms.The cost of $2.8 million is funded through the School Local Option Sales Tax ($2.2 million) and PPEL funds ($600,000). The last of the contractors left two weeks ago, according to Matt Dunbar, associate director of human resources for the Cedar Rapids Community School District.“It went as well as expected. Everything is done on time,” Dunbar said.Construction season is over. Football season is here.The J-Hawks (4-6 last season) have “set a goal to outdo what we did last year,” Womochil said. “We need to stay healthy, because our numbers aren't that great.”Jefferson upset Xavier, 7-0, last year at Saints Field. The Saints finished 8-4, advancing to the Class 4A state quarterfinals.