Stadium Project

San Rafael High School has been and remains home to the only lighted stadium in the MCAL. In the early nineties the stadium lights were modernized in partnership with the SRHS Alumni Association and SRCS district. In 1997, SRHS, again thanks to alumni association funding and partnership with the SRCS, installed the first all weather track in the MCAL.  Over the next five years or so, SRHS became the home and host for many of the county wide major track meets and other like venues. Early in the 21st Century, SRHS began sharing their stadium with TLHS for all football games, as they had the better field, the larger seating capacity, and the benefit of the lights for night games. Due to the large volume of football games being played on SRHS field, resulting in much wear and tear, the Pop Warner program which was based out of SRHS was asked to temporarily move to TLHS.

Over the last decade all MCAL high schools have undergone various levels of modernization including upgrading to all weather tracks and fields. SRHS remains the only MCAL high school without an all weather field, which is clearly a concern with regard to athletic equity. At the same time, the SRHS track has been in major need of resurfacing, and in hopes of realizing an all weather field, the track has been maintained by the district through annual repairs.

As a result of Bond monies SRHS was able to modernize the entire physical structure including the gymnasium. Due to the age of SRHS facility, coupled with the size, the Bond monies were not enough to extend to the final phase which was to cover the surrounding grounds and fields such as the entry way, stadium, parking lot, pool and cafeteria. These continue to be part of ongoing site facility improvements and are dependent on funding from other sources.

In 2008 the SRHS Site Facility Committee identified the track and field as a major priority for modernization. A sub committee was formed to look at the stadium and begin to explore what modernization of the track and field might look like. In 2009 SRHS hosted the first major release of the movie, Prankster, filmed on the SRHS campus. WeAreSR! raised $2,000.00 which was earmarked for the Stadium Project.  It was then that the Alumni Association joined the venture to target this project as the next major priority for funding for SRHS.  Over the past two years, the alumni association has worked closely with SRHS administration, WeAreSR! and Site Facility Committee in conjunction with the Hall of Honor venue in communicating out to the alumni and community at large that the all weather track and field are the next big priority.

In spring 2010 a steering committee was formed to lead the way with fundraising for such a project. This committee was made up of key community members and alumni to SRHS. Included on this committee were and continue to this day: Russ Colombo, Bank of Marin; Patty Garbarino, Marin Sanitary Service; Bruce MacPhail, MacPhail Properties; Ron Clausen, Clausen Law Group; Natu Tuatagalo, SRCS Board of Ed; Harry Miller, President of Alumni Association; Rich and Dolly Nave, Doug Salin, and Pam Collins from Alumni Association; and Judy Colton, retired principal SRHS.

Scope of the Project

The committee’s main goal is to fundraise the multi-million dollars necessary for SRHS to realize a modern track, field and stadium (bleachers, restroom, press box and other adjacent facilities). To date the committee has the following:

- An architect’s donated rendering of a stadium that aligns with the design for the Entry Way and surrounding grounds, prepared by Studio Green.

- $750,000.00 anonymously donated. (In January 2007 SRHS received an anonymous donation of $650,000.00 toward capital expenditures for a culinary academy. Again in 2008, SRHS received another $100,000.00 toward this academy. Due to the many challenges created by the state fiscal crisis, SRHS was unable to move forward with this project. In fall 2010, SRHS was able to get that money reallocated toward the track and field.)

- $100,000.00 donation for track and field from Jennifer Maxwell, founder of Power Bar.

- Commitments of support from other community agencies/businesses.

- SRHS Administration to work with student body and parents on coordination of school related efforts to raise funds.

- Fundraising Committee is working closely with Chris Thomas, CBO, Kit Pappenheimer, Principal and SRHS Site Facility Committee.

 

How can you support the stadium project?

Contact us regarding major contributions (in-kind or financial) and naming opportunities.

1. Make a financial donation

Purchase an engraved tile

 

For more information contact Pam Collins