The renovation of stadium seating at Roy Anderson Field on the campus of Peninsula High School is well underway.

Workers got rid of the old seating last week and began to set up the framework for the new and improved bleachers.

“They took it apart piece by piece and did a little cutting,” said Dan Gregory, PSD academic officer.

Plans call for the modification of the configuration, size and quantity of seating; furnishing and installing new angle frame aluminum bleacher units with enclosed deck/seats so debris does not fall to the ground; providing additional stairs, steps and ramps as required by code; and providing a front aisle unit that would allow Americans with Disabilities Act access and seating.

The project is slated to be completed by the beginning of the year.

“We expect it to be done a little bit earlier than that,” Gregory said.

Roy Anderson Field is still playable, he said, which means it can be used for physical education classes and other after-school community activities. Access to the covered stadium side will be restricted while work is going on, he added.

When the field was last renovated in 2003, there were not sufficient resources to renovate the stadium bleachers. In February 2011, the district fell short of passing a capital improvements bond, which would have included major seating upgrades, as well as updated access for the disabled.

The old bleachers were in need of constant maintenance and repair due to their age and condition.

The total estimated cost of the project is about $216,000, including project management, permitting, demolition of the old bleachers and construction of the new bleachers, Gregory said.

The project was made possible by a $100,000 grant from the Ben B. Cheney Foundation.

“We were able to fund the project in great part due to the Cheney Foundation,” Gregory said.

Reporter Brett Davis can be reached at 253-358-4151 or by email at brett.davis@gateline.com. Follow him on Twitter, @gateway_brett.