RIPON – The City of Ripon cleared a big hurdle Monday towards bringing the fireworks display back to the heart of the community.
Trustees of the Ripon Unified School District voted unanimously to waive the facilities-use fee for Ripon High’s Stouffer Field at the monthly meeting.
That’s good news to city officials and the community, according to Councilman Dean Uecker, who spearheaded the committee to bring back the fireworks display to its former home.
“There are a lot of people who would like to see the fireworks in town again,” he said.
The City, in turn, would foot the bill for custodian and clean up at the high school stadium.
Uecker estimated the cost for the display at $20,000, adding that farmers and local businesses have already been among the donors. More fundraisers in the works.
In recent years, the Fourth of July fireworks show had been at Mistlin Sports Park. In order to see the pyrotechnic spectacular meant driving to the sports facility located north of town.
Police and fire officials, in turn, spent most of their time and resources in the area.
A return to Stouffer Field would allow for more folks in town to have the best view of the Independence Day fireworks from the comforts of their home.
“The main viewing area would be from (Ripon) elementary school and the Ripon Christian school lawn,” Fire Chief Dennis Bitters said. “The public would not be allowed inside the stadium.”
He added that some of the specifics – included would be the fallout from the launching area of the high school track – are still in the works.
Uecker, in addition, noted that those living from Seventh Street on down and perhaps further will have good views of the fireworks.
Trustees of the Ripon Unified School District voted unanimously to waive the facilities-use fee for Ripon High’s Stouffer Field at the monthly meeting.
That’s good news to city officials and the community, according to Councilman Dean Uecker, who spearheaded the committee to bring back the fireworks display to its former home.
“There are a lot of people who would like to see the fireworks in town again,” he said.
The City, in turn, would foot the bill for custodian and clean up at the high school stadium.
Uecker estimated the cost for the display at $20,000, adding that farmers and local businesses have already been among the donors. More fundraisers in the works.
In recent years, the Fourth of July fireworks show had been at Mistlin Sports Park. In order to see the pyrotechnic spectacular meant driving to the sports facility located north of town.
Police and fire officials, in turn, spent most of their time and resources in the area.
A return to Stouffer Field would allow for more folks in town to have the best view of the Independence Day fireworks from the comforts of their home.
“The main viewing area would be from (Ripon) elementary school and the Ripon Christian school lawn,” Fire Chief Dennis Bitters said. “The public would not be allowed inside the stadium.”
He added that some of the specifics – included would be the fallout from the launching area of the high school track – are still in the works.
Uecker, in addition, noted that those living from Seventh Street on down and perhaps further will have good views of the fireworks.
