With the tearing down of the football bleachers complete, MVHS has much to expect in the coming months as construction of the athletic fields goes into full swing. The 40-year-old athletics complex is undergoing a complete modernization project, funded by bond money from Measure B, which was passed in June 2008. Robert A. Bothman Construction is in charge of the project, working with schematics by Verde Design.
Demolition of the existing athletic structures began on Oct. 13 and is scheduled for completion in December. Herbicide was sprayed across the grass to commence the clearing of the fields, and construction of the new fields is to begin in February 2012.
Due to MVHS’s smallest square footage compared to other FUHSD schools, space for different sports fields has become of a concern to the administration and the contractor. According to the construction plans, a new concrete retaining wall will run across the current slope that separates the two fields, maximizing the amount of space allocated for both fields.
“We just donít have that flexibility [of space],” Principal April Scott said. “Things are going to appear that they are in the same location, but we have been able to be more strategic in how that land is used [with the new designs].”
Robert A. Bothman Construction will be laying 208,000 square feet of artificial turf over both fields, which drain quicker than grass and will be usable immediately after or during light rain, according to FUHSD associate superintendent Glenn Evans.
“A lot of the work will be underground, because nothing has been done for 40 years. There will be all-new drainage systems, all new utilities, and both the upper and lower fields will be artificial turf,” Evans said.
Among other features, there will be a new entrance to the new football stadium, complete with an ADA-compliant gateway, ticket counters, and concessions stands. The areas around the fields will also have new ìway-findingî signage, which will direct people to different parts of the complex, according to Scott.
“It’s going to look like a finished product. There will be a grand entrance to the football field […] where people show up and it’s like ‘Oh, I know where I’m going’,” Scott said.
According to project manager Scott Reeder, Robert A. Bothman Construction is pushing to have the football stadium completed before June 2011 in time for graduation. The administration was not aware of this initially, and it only stated that if it were to happen, it will adjust graduation plans accordingly.
The football stadium is scheduled to be done in Aug. 2012, and the estimated date of completion of the complex is early Jan. 2013. Students can access the construction plans in the conference room in the Main Office.
