La Porte ISD Football Stadium

Dating back to its construction in 1947, the La Porte ISD Bulldog Stadium has a rich history including district championships and deep playoff runs for the high school football team. Serving the area of La Porte for decades, the stadium infrastructure needed replacement. In August 2025, as part of a major bond project, a $56 million investment would completely revamp the stadium, so it can host fans for years to come with its new 8,500 seats, bowl design, eight-lane track, digital trophy case and cooling turf system. Serving the area as a landmark for many years and a source of pride for the community, this investment would also allow for hosting football, track events, graduations and community gatherings all while giving visitors a positive and welcoming experience.

When project members began strategizing the design of the stadium, the conversation was started around a coating protection system that could protect the infrastructure. The owner of the project found galvanizing to be the best solution compared to painting, as it would be capable of delivering long-term strength and virtually zero maintenance in the long-haul.

With close proximity to the Texas Gulf Coast, the stadium will be exposed to high humidity, corrosive sea-salty air and frequent rainfall in the area. In addition, with thousands of fans attending events year-round, the high-volume foot traffic could also cause durability concerns if the steel was not protected with a strong coating system. Paint methods would require ongoing maintenance in this type of environment, causing the project owner time and money over the life cycle of the structure. Hot-dip galvanizing was selected to protect critical structural components including steel beams, rafters, handrails, and channel sections.

The galvanizer chosen for the project was able to provide a strong partnership from start to finish of the project, communicating any changes and adjusting to timelines when needed. They were able to meet all project deadlines, provide excellent customer service and support the customer, meeting their needs with a quality product.

By choosing hot-dip galvanizing over paint, La Porte ISD will remain structurally sound, visually aesthetic, and cost-effective for generations. It will also be able to serve the area for nearly 50-100 years down the road, supporting thousands of fans every year and stand as a testament to this durable coating solution.