Bartlett High Opens $5.3 Million Covered Practice Facility

Fast Facts

• Investment: Approximately $5.3 million
• Facility: 110-yard outdoor turf practice field
• Location: Bartlett High School
• Coverage: Massive awning over the practice field
• Contractor: Chris Woods Construction Co.
• Architect: 4FDesign
• Opened: Sept. 16, 2026

A new kind of practice facility for Bartlett High

Bartlett High School has opened a new $5.3 million practice facility designed to give students a larger, more durable and weather-protected space for athletics and other school activities. The 110-yard turf field sits between the school grounds and Blackwell Street and is covered by a large awning that provides protection from the elements. Bartlett City Schools Superintendent David Stephens said the school previously relied on a single practice field that was seeing significant wear. After seeing covered practice facilities during a trip to Texas, Stephens said the district decided to pursue a larger version of the concept for Bartlett High. “We could’ve done it smaller,” Stephens said. “But our thought was, let’s go ahead and make it as big as we possibly can.” The completed project cost approximately $5.3 million.

Designed for more than football

The facility is already serving more than one group at Bartlett High. During the Sept. 16 ribbon-cutting, the marching band used the turf before the football team took the field in preparation for its first 6A-Region 7 matchup with Houston. The covered facility also provides a place for other student activities, including band, theater, arts and clubs, according to Stephens. The timing of the opening also highlighted one of the facility's primary purposes. Temperatures approached 100 degrees that day, while the students practicing beneath the covering remained relatively cool and protected from heat-related concerns.

Bartlett firms helped bring the project to life

Bartlett-based Chris Woods Construction Co. served as the contractor, while Memphis-based 4FDesign provided architecture. Michael Winters, managing partner at 4FDesign, said the firm's experience working on facilities at other schools helped inform the design. The project team served as master planner, architect and project manager, incorporating elements learned from previous school projects into the Bartlett High facility.

Why It Matters

The new practice facility represents a significant investment in Bartlett High School and expands the types of spaces available for students to practice, compete and participate in school activities. The covered design also addresses a practical challenge for Bartlett students and staff: maintaining outdoor activities during extreme heat and other weather conditions. For Bartlett, the project adds a substantial new athletic and student-use facility while putting an existing school site to greater use.

‍

Source: The Commercial Appeal, Sept. 17, 2026.

‍