California board ponders future of high school stadium
CALIFORNIA – School board officials are worried that problems at the district’s football stadium could mean the California Trojans will be looking for a place to play their home games this season. After receiving notification from the district’s insurance company regarding Booster Field’s unsafe bleacher problems, the board turned to the community for ideas as to how the bleacher issue can be solved.
“We were notified three years ago that something needed to be done about our bleachers,” said Dr. Marian Stephens, school superintendent, at a special meeting this week. “The way they are structured, a small child could fall through and get seriously hurt. This past year, there had been two incidents where that has happened.”
To try and correct the problem, the school district has repaired the bleachers for the past two years, and even created a family section away from the bleachers this past season, where it would be safer for young children to sit. But, because their liability is increasing each year, their insurance company will not permit the district to make any more repairs.
Concerned parent John Petro asked board officials what the cost estimate would be to have Booster Field renovated, compared to the price of a new stadium.
“The insurance company is not concerned about a stadium, new or old; their concern is the bleachers,” said Stephens. “To install new bleachers would cost the district roughly $350,000.”
Board president Budd Grebb noted that if the district were looking to construct a new stadium, there are 154 acres available at the middle school location, just off the intersection of routes 88 and 40.
“Even if we develop a new site at the school, we still need the bleachers to be in compliance with certain codes,” said director John Bayer.
Bayer added that the district also has to take into consideration local Midget League teams that play their games at Booster Field.
“I feel that replacing the bleachers is a cheaper way to go than a new stadium. It solves our immediate problem and maybe our future problem, as well,” said director John Digon.
In the meantime, Stephens said that the district has an agreement worked out with California University of Pennsylvania officials to use its stadium, if the district cannot play its games at Booster Field next season.
Joe Kuhns, Trojan’s head football coach, opposes using the university’s field.
“I don’t want to be held hostage to the university’s football schedule. What if the university doesn’t want us to play on a Friday night because of bad weather and the possibility of the field being torn up?” he asked. “We need a field, and there’s an urgency to get something moving now, for next season.”
Kuhns then added that if the district is going to spend money to renovate Booster Field, there is a need to do it right the first time because the field isn’t in the best of shape right now.
“There’s drainage problems, no locker rooms, no trainer’s room, no referee’s room, the restrooms are unacceptable and the parking conditions are bad. There are major problems everywhere you look,” Kuhns said. “If we can build a nice stadium, with great parking and a lot of the amenities I spoke of, we could be able to host playoff games and earn extra money for the program.” According to board officials, an average of $1.5 million would be needed to build a new stadium. Bayer suggested that possibly the board look into purchasing new bleachers and if the district decides to construct a new stadium to make sure the bleachers that are purchased could be used in the new stadium.
One resident suggested that until the board decides what actions it’s going to take to remove the bleachers from the field, it should have the Trojans play their games at the university stadium, while allowing the Midget League teams to use the stadium.
“Each idea has its pluses and minuses,” said Bayer. “But we don’t want to wait until June or July to decide what to do; it will be too late.”
The board is reviewing all options and is expecting to receive bids from engineers to conduct a feasibility study on renovating Booster Field vs. constructing a new stadium.