The new official name is Gopher-Warrior Bowl. But to many in Grand Prairie, it will always be the Gopher Bowl.

The GPISD spent almost $5 million in renovations on the historical stadium a year ago. The stadium is on the campus of Grand Prairie High, home of the Gophers.

Renovations, which began the week following the last home game in November of 2003, were completed just days before Grand Prairie opened the 2004 season against Dallas Skyline.

Field turf had been installed following the 2002 season, replacing an old and hard artificial turf. Then in July of 2004, the GPISD school board approved the name change because since both high schools – Grand Prairie and South Grand Prairie Warriors – share the stadium, the board wanted SGP represented in the name.

Both sides of town argued – mainly ex-Gophers – to keep the name the same. Even a few fans on the south side of town argued the name should stay, but the board and the handful of SGP supporters got their way.

Regardless of the controversy over the name, the stadium is still one of the finest facilities around. It has always been unique because of it is a bowl and when it was built in the late 1950s, it was considered one of the top high school stadiums in the state.

But in recent years, the stadium had serious drainage problems under the turf and the old '50s style press box was, well, way out-dated.

Now, there's a double-level press box, 1,000 stadium seats on the home side and new restrooms and concessions stands on both the home and visitors' side. A plaque was placed on the west side of the press box honoring the history of the stadium and its meaning to Grand Prairie.

Here are a few things to consider when attending a game at the Gopher-Warrior Bowl:

Location

Located just off I-30 and Beltline Road and south of Lone Star Park in northeast Grand Prairie. Take the Beltline exit off I-30, go south to the next red light, turn right on Tarrant Road and the stadium is on your left.

The Stadium

The stadium and playing turf itself are excellent. Not a bad seat in the house. Only drawback is the tightness of the sidelines – 10 feet separate the sidelines and stands. But the closeness makes you feel you're right in the middle of the action.

The players' tunnel, too, adds a unique flavor. The long, steep ramp from the dressing rooms to the field gives it a big time feeling former GP and SGP players and visiting athletes will always remember.

Ask any opposing player what they remember the most about the Bowl and the tunnel is the first thing mentioned.

Press Box

Nice, double level with elevator or stairs. First level is for press, radio, scouts and coaches. Step off the elevator into the press and scouts area. Press and next week's scouts on the first row and second week scouts, along with seats for a couple of VIPs in former SGP coach Eddie Patton and GP coach Ken Murray.

Second deck has the PA announcer and scoreboard operators and VIP rooms on each end as well as a huge filming area in the middle for home and visiting teams.

Concessions

Much better.

The concession stands have more room inside so workers won't be stepping on each other's toes or ramming a bowl of nachos into the chest of another worker. There are also more windows so less time standing in line at halftime. There is also a separate window for just drinks.

Restrooms

Bigger, more urinals for the guys and more stalls for the ladies. Need we say more?

Parking

Next question please.

Parking is terrible, plain and simple. There is a new parking with 240 reserved and handicap spots are near the main entrance, but there is a $5 charge to park in it. It's free to park anywhere else but that's the key, where?

There roughly 200 spots on the south side of the Amos Turner Gymnasium and roughly 150 or so in front of the main entrance to the gym and on the north side of the gym, another 40 or 50 spots for VIPs, police and the Grand Prairie coaches who park there during the school days.

There are another 200 or 20 spots directly in front of the main entrance to the school on High School Drive and directly across the street is a large parking lot that holds approximately another 300 to 350 cars.

On the east side of the stadium is another VIP parking lot.

There is an apartment complex directly adjacent to the large parking lot across the street on High School Drive, but do not park there. Cars are towed left and right.

One last area you can park – where Wylie fans held their tailgate party – and that's north of the stadium on the other side of Tarrant Road. But it's a dirt lot and after a heavy rain, cars can get stuck and even on a regular night, you'll be spending most of Saturday at the car wash because of the dust.

If you arrive a few minutes before kickoff, be prepared to walk – it's a good trek from the far south parking lot. Just ask the Lincoln-Wylie fans who arrived at kickoff.

In general

The Gopher-Warrior Bowl has been a big part of Grand Prairie's history. One game in particular stands out the most – 1963 Grand Prairie vs. Wichita Falls. It was the ONLY game played in Texas the night John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas.

Wichita Falls was already on its way to the stadium when Kennedy was shot so officials from both schools decided to go ahead and play the game instead of making Wichita Falls turn around and come back the next day.

The Gophers beat their long time rivals that night, one of the rare times they defeated the Coyotes.

42-50 -- Worth seeing the stadium even if two 0-10 schools are playing. Everyone should visit this stadium as soon as possible. Look for a JV game if you have to to see a game.

34-41 -- An excellent stadium. The only way that this stadium could be better is if you had a good game playing.

26-33 -- An average football stadium. If you're in the neighborhood and a team you're scouting is playing, this is the stadium for you.

20-25 -- Parents of band, football players and drill teams would enjoy the game, but only because of parental pride.

Under 20 -- Time to ask the school district for a bond election.