The Weston Ranch High Stadium kickoff is this Friday.
This special event will mark the grand re-opening of the newly renovated sports facility that took years of discussions and workshops to finally make it a reality.
For that, school officials will recognize the likes of Manteca Unified school board Vice President Eric Duncan along with Trustee Bob Wallace, MUSD Director of Facilities & Operation Aaron Bowers and Construction / Energy Technician Jeff McLarty during halftime of the Cougars’ non-league game against Franklin High.
“These are people who have contributed to this (stadium) remodel,” said Principal Troy Fast on Wednesday.
Duncan, for example, is the board member representing this southwest Stockton community. He’s also a longtime youth football coach and had first-hand knowledge of the hazardous conditions – injuries of young athletes ranged from twisted ankles to damaged ligaments caused by gopher holes on the stadium turf.
“Work started right after the end of last year’s football season,” said Fast, who arrived at WRHS midyear from Manteca High.
He has a new administration with Aracely Sandoval coming over from East Union High as the new assistant principal and Roland Davis as vice principal after coming aboard last year as the school’s athletic director.
Brett Lewis, the former Manteca High basketball coach, is now the new athletic director at WRHS, joining his wife and Activities Director Aubrey Lewis, who, according to Fast, is coordinating the carnival/open house for the new stadium earlier on Friday beginning at 3 p.m.
The carnival will have bounce houses, hotdogs, drinks, and family games.
“We’re looking to create a positive culture for Weston Ranch,” Fast said.
As for the stadium, the work was conducted by F&H Construction – Benyon Sports installed the new all-weather track – and included the new natural turf field coupled with new irrigation and goal posts, reconfiguring the stadium with the shot put / discus cage, and upgrades along the paths of travel and restrooms to enhance accessibility.
“We paid attention to detail by painting the garbage cans and bleachers to match the school colors (of gray and maroon),” Fast said. “The all-weather track also features the school colors.”
Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs is scheduled be a part of the big halftime ribbon-cutting event and along with other special moments planned for the evening.
The junior varsity game kicks off at 5 p.m. followed by the varsity game at 7 o’clock.
Weston Ranch High is located at 4606 McCuen Ave.
For more information, call 209.938.6245 or log on to www.mantecausd.net.
