Fear not of the recent rains when it comes to the all-new home bleachers and press box at the Ripon High stadium.
Andy Strickland, who is the Ripon Unified Maintenance Director, assured the school board last week that the project is projected to be completed by April 15.
“That should put us well ahead of graduation and Ripon’s Run,” he said.
Commencement exercises at Ripon High are scheduled for May 25 while the half-marathon / quarter-marathon of the running event formerly known as Rina’s Run will take place on May 5.
The home spectator area at Stouffer Field was recently demolished and cleared away, with land grading of the area being next in line, according to Strickland.
He added that antennas and the camera have been removed from the old press box and will be put back in place once the new press box is completed.
Stephanie Hobbs of the Ripon Community Athletic Foundation – the grass roots efforts of this non-profit group kicked off in 2007, generating $1.8 million of donated and installed infrastructure during that span – recently indicated that the visitors’ bleachers were still in good condition as discovered when earlier work was being conducted at the stadium.
Modesto-based Menghetti Construct is handling work on the bleachers and press box project.
As for the wet condition?
“It shouldn’t affect us too much,” Strickland said. “We’re also waiting for the (new) bleachers to arrive.”
In addition, the home side seats will finally be Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.