PROJECT OVERVIEW
Established in 2007, RCAF is spearheading a grassroots effort to upgrade the football field and track at Ripon High School. The existing facility is over 70 years old and is the only football field and track with seating in the community.
The track is six lanes wide, but only five are useable. Moreover, it’s less than ¼ mile in length and has an unpredictable surface of soil and clay. The field and track have not been addressed since they were last upgraded in the early 1970’s, when the track was graded and compacted, the irrigation system repaired and new turf was planted. At that time the field and track supported the football and track programs from one high school with an enrollment of 370 students (2011 enrollment 900).
Since that time field usage has grown to support the high school’s football program, the football program for a second, private high school and two youth football programs. In the 1970’s there were 15 football games played on the field over 13 weeks. Today, over the same periods of time, there are 75 games played on the same field. The track supports a track program that is double the size of the 1960’s program. Because it is not regulation size, only dual meets can be held on the track. The community cannot host league, subsection or section meets due to the non-regulation size of the track. This revitalization will open Ripon High Schools Stadium up to soccer for the first time, regional events, and increased physical activity for more youth in our community.
The track is six lanes wide, but only five are useable. Moreover, it’s less than ¼ mile in length and has an unpredictable surface of soil and clay. The field and track have not been addressed since they were last upgraded in the early 1970’s, when the track was graded and compacted, the irrigation system repaired and new turf was planted. At that time the field and track supported the football and track programs from one high school with an enrollment of 370 students (2011 enrollment 900).
Since that time field usage has grown to support the high school’s football program, the football program for a second, private high school and two youth football programs. In the 1970’s there were 15 football games played on the field over 13 weeks. Today, over the same periods of time, there are 75 games played on the same field. The track supports a track program that is double the size of the 1960’s program. Because it is not regulation size, only dual meets can be held on the track. The community cannot host league, subsection or section meets due to the non-regulation size of the track. This revitalization will open Ripon High Schools Stadium up to soccer for the first time, regional events, and increased physical activity for more youth in our community.
PHASE I
Thanks to several generous donors, we have broken ground on initial aspects of Phase One for a regulation-sized football/soccer field and 8-lane dirt track.
Donations include: Demolition, surveying, heavy equipment, most sprinkler parts, asphalt for areas behind end-zones (“Ds”). The Ds behind the end-zones needs all-weather surfacing which costs $85,000. This surfacing is required for track events. Phase One total cost is $1,126,469.
The trailblazing donors (200+), listed HERE, will have permanent recognition in the new facility. The prime location of this stadium, which is adjacent to Hwy. 99, opens (tax-deductible) advertising opportunities for donors. Monthly, over 2.25 million cars pass Stouffer Field. Of course, the great feeling of giving back to their community, to benefit generations, offers a deep satisfaction.
Donations include: Demolition, surveying, heavy equipment, most sprinkler parts, asphalt for areas behind end-zones (“Ds”). The Ds behind the end-zones needs all-weather surfacing which costs $85,000. This surfacing is required for track events. Phase One total cost is $1,126,469.
The trailblazing donors (200+), listed HERE, will have permanent recognition in the new facility. The prime location of this stadium, which is adjacent to Hwy. 99, opens (tax-deductible) advertising opportunities for donors. Monthly, over 2.25 million cars pass Stouffer Field. Of course, the great feeling of giving back to their community, to benefit generations, offers a deep satisfaction.
PHASE II
The progress continues on in an effort to install bleachers and bathrooms. We are humbly grateful for all those who have supported us in the past and continue to faithfully invest in this worthy project.
