BRISTOL -- Clad in protective suits and masks, city workers have been removing traces of mold from the walls and ceilings inside part of the city's football stadium.

The former offices of the parks and recreation department and a concession stand were abandoned because of the proliferation of mold growth at Gene Malcolm Stadium.

Cleanup began last week but was halted to check for asbestos in the affected areas, City Manager Bill Dennison said.

"We got [environmental firm] S&ME back in there," Dennison said. "The only asbestos found was in about 1,800 square feet of floor tile."

Earlier this year, problems with water runoff caused mold to form on ceiling tiles, floors and walls inside the former office spaces, restrooms and a concession stand beneath the stadium's concrete bleachers.

Tests revealed a variety of molds, including potentially toxic black mold. Parks and recreation employees were relocated temporarily to City Hall.

Once remediation work is completed, plans call for opening up portions of the affected areas rather than reclaiming them and performing other structural repairs, Dennison said.

The city plans to contract a licensed firm to remove the asbestos tile and a construction firm to perform some of the work, Dennison said.

City officials hope work is completed before Virginia High's first home football game in late August.

Buying the property, moving the offices and opening the area to sunlight to prevent future mold growth is expected to cost about $350,000 -- possibly less, Dennison said. "The cost for a full-blown remediation and retrofitting those offices to use would run between $500,000 and $600,000."

David McGee is a staff writer with the Bristol Herald Courier.