For the past 13 years, members of the Ripon Community Athletic Foundation have diligently worked towards renovating Stouffer Field.

The last leg of those efforts came closer to fruition Wednesday at the Ripon Unified school board's special session.

Trustees approved the Request For Proposals — or the RFP — for preconstruction and lease-leaseback services for the Ripon High Bathroom/Bleacher Modernization Project, in turn, paving the way for the district to select a contractor for the project.

RUSD can move forward by using the best value selection process, as specified under the state Education Code.

"RCAF is extremely excited and grateful for RUSD's release of the RFP for the stadium bathroom and visitor bleachers. We can finally see the light at the end of this long journey," said RCAF Founder / President Stephanie Hobbs.

According to Director of Operations Andy Strickland, the district has contracted WLC Architects to design this project budgeted at $1.2 million.

The construction period is estimated at four months.

The lease-leaseback contractor — scheduled to be selected next month under the RFP timelines — will be expected to provide both pre-construction services and construction of the project in strict compliance with the plans, as specified by WLC Architects.

The actual construction could take place during the winter months.

For RCAF, the completion of the project will be the final touches to its grass-roots efforts.

"It's been an amazing trip," said Hobbs, who acknowledged the generous and hard-working efforts of the community.

She also thanked the school district leaders, "who patiently endured us and found a way to bring the stadium revitalization over the finish line," Hobbs said.