More than a year in the making, the new $13 million Mission Bay High School athletic facilities, which broke ground Feb. 12 last year, will be finished soon.
“The progress of the new Mission Bay Stadium is right on track for a March 27 completion,” said MBHS principal Ernest Remillard. “At this point, the football/soccer field and track are completed, as well as the new softball field.”
Remillard said the construction crew is currently finishing up the bleachers and handling some smaller items within each of the new buildings. “Those include putting in final plumbing fixtures, tying in the fire alarms and other smaller-polish items,” he said. “The remaining bigger project is the landscaping and some final fencing, including the main entrance gate.”
The high school’s principal said a formal opening is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16.
“This event is open to the community, and they are encouraged to park in the large parking lot along Grand Avenue and Lee Street,” Remillard said. “Following the ceremony, we will have a home track meet and varsity baseball game.”
The principal added the community is encouraged to remain after the new athletic facilities have been dedicated, as the high school will then be hosting its annual Spring Open House. Teachers and students will be displaying work from throughout the year in the school’s gymnasium from 3 to 6 p.m.
“We will have food trucks at the event,” Remillard said.
The field opening ceremony will be sponsored by the Mission Bay Alumni Association. MBAA spokesperson Pam Deitz said, “We just launched a new engraved brick fundraiser in celebration of the new stadium — and you don’t have to be an alumni to purchase a brick. PB residents and businesses are also welcome to be a part of history.”
More information about the brick fundraiser can be found at https://brickorder.com/form/view.php?id=80477.
The athletic complex project includes a complete renovation of the football field and running track.
Other features include: the existing football field and track have been replaced with new synthetic turf field and all-weather track; new handicap-accessible bleachers; a new press box with an elevator to comply with ADA accessibility; new athletic facilities (handicap-accessible ticket booth, restrooms and concession stand for home and visitors); storage area for athletic equipment; new football stadium lighting and sound system; new scoreboard and goal posts; new home and visitor entrance gates; the existing softball field relocated and reconstructed with new synthetic turf; and new ADA-accessible dugouts, bleachers, concession stand and announcer’s booth.
Due to the renovations, MBHS will join the ranks of “Friday Night Lights” to host football games at night for the first time. in its 60-year history.