In 2007, the aging Ripon High stadium needed repairs and upgrades.

Vince and Stephanie Hobbs, representing a small group, approached the Ripon Unified board of trustees back then about a dream of turning Stouffer Field into a state-of-the-arts sports facility.

“What began as a grassroot effort grew into a 15-year project of planning, constructing, giving and cultivating,” said Vince Hobbs, who now serves on the Ripon Unified school board.

His small group expanded to 900-plus people and became the Ripon Community Athletic Foundation.

Those in the non-profit RCAF pooled their resources, partnering with RUSD while managing $6 million of improvements.

RCAF along with the Ripon Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the many accomplishments with a ribbon-cutting for the grand completion of the RHS Stadium Revitalization beginning at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, at Stouffer Field.

The concerted effort of those involved made possible the all-weather track along with the modern LED scoreboard – donated by PG&E – and brought the stadium and that part of the campus up to ADA standards.

The revitalization efforts also provided a home for the RHS soccer programs – boys and girls – with the regulation sized field.

RUSD stepped in and put forth the efforts in putting in the new home and visitor bleachers along with press box.

A new entrance way coupled with the donor wall, bathrooms, fences, and sound system were other pieces of the stadium remodeling.

Refreshments will be available along with displays unveiling the dramatic progress made over the years at special grand completion event.