Cosumnes River College to Open New Football Field

Student athletes at Cosumnes River College and will have a new place to play football and soccer starting this week.

Cosumnes River College will dedicate its newly renovated stadium this Friday at Valley High's first home football game of the season. Because Valley uses the college's facility, the Elk Grove Unified School District pitched in bond funds to the $14.5 million project. The renovation started in October 2011.

The full press release follows:

Cosumnes River College (CRC), in partnership with the Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD), will dedicate the newly renovated stadium on Friday, September 14 at 4:30 p.m. at the Stadium Entrance.  At 7 p.m. that evening, before the first varsity home game for the Valley High Vikings football team, the school will hold a celebration of the new field with a marching band, naming of honorary co-captains and coin-toss. 

The renovation, which started in October 2011, included replacing the existing grass field with a synthetic field for all levels of competitive football or soccer with a natural grass warm-up area on the south end of the field. There are new soccer goals and adjustable field goals. 

Valley High School uses the field regularly for their junior varsity and varsity football practices and games which led to a partnership with the Elk Grove Unified School District to contribute bond funds to the renovation.

“Valley High School, the Elk Grove Unified School District and Cosumnes River College have enjoyed a wonderful relationship for many years,” said EGUSD Superintendent Steven M. Ladd, Ed.D.  “One example of this collaborative effort is that Valley High School’s football teams and fans will be able to enjoy this wonderful new sports venue.  By working together, EGUSD and CRC maximize the community’s generosity of bond funds, allowing each organization to stretch their dollars for the betterment of our communities.”

The project cost a total of $14.5 million, which came from capital bond Measures M and A construction funds. 

Additional improvements include new fencing and landscaping at the entrance and new ramps to the lower and upper bleachers for wheelchairs, as well as an accessible concession stand and restrooms. There is a new ticket booth as well. 

“The improvements to the stadium will be a great resource for the students and athletes at CRC and the Elk Grove Unified School District for decades to come,” said CRC President Deborah Travis, Ed.D. “We are grateful to have been able to do these renovations with the support of local taxpayers who approved bond measures to improve our college facilities.”

In addition to athletic games, the stadium will be used for cultural and educational events throughout the year.

Cosumnes River College is part of the Los Rios Community College District.

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