By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Plans get OK for Ripon High stadium work
RCAF-track-LT
The Ripon High stadium as it looked at the start of August. - photo by Photo Contributed

The Ripon Community Athletic Foundation appears to be nearing the finish line of a quest that started a dozen years ago — the renovation of the Ripon High stadium.

On Monday, the Ripon Unified school board approved the architectural pre-plan designs for the RHS Ticket Booth & Restrooms.

Trustee Vince Hobbs, who along with wife Stephanie are the founding members of RCAF, abstained from voting due to conflict of interest.

“We’re thrilled with the plans,” said Stephanie Hobbs. “It’s the best use of space.”

According to Director of Maintenance & Operations Andy Strickland, the “V” design at the entrance of Stouffer Field calls for one side of the ticket booth structure to include a single-occupancy restroom and the men’s restroom, with room for future expansion, if needed.

The other side of the “V” design will accommodate the other ticket booth along with custodian room situated next to the women’s restroom.

A circular concrete pavement with fencing located inside both ticket booths would allow use of the restroom facilities during baseball season. Strickland pointed out that the entrance gate to the stadium would be closed but the public could still use these new restrooms during the spring sports season.

Next up will be to send the plans by WLC Architect to the Division of State Architect in Sacramento.

For RCAF, this portion of the renovation efforts has been a long time in the making.

RUSD has already allocated $150,000 towards this project estimated at $900,000, according to www.rcafsite.com.

“Anyone who has had the misfortune to visit the exiting bathrooms at the RHS stadium would agree that they are unacceptable, uncomfortable and in desperate need of replacing,” the website noted.

RCAF’s efforts — thanks to support of the school district, community and various donors — have made possible a playing field for both football and soccer, an all-weather track, a double-sided LED scoreboard, and new home bleachers and press box, to name a few.

The ticket booth & restrooms will be the final major piece to the stadium renovations.