Athletic programs and extracurricular opportunities continue to distinguish schools from each other, draw students in, and build a sense of community. In recent years, however, with a need to prioritize spending, some school districts swept deferred maintenance dollars into general funds and, as water restrictions were implemented across the state and costs to maintain athletics facilities increased, many fields fell into disrepair. The consequences have been more injuries, fewer practice days, and a general assumption that school districts are unwilling to invest in athletic programs and, by extension, their student athletes. In contrast, the school districts that invested in their athletic facilities over the last few years have seen a tremendous increase in student morale and health, growth in campus culture, and excitement within their communities.
Jurupa Unified School District
Jurupa Unified School District (JUSD) was looking to create a 21st century campus, conserve water, and create excitement within the community. As a large residential development took form adjacent to Jurupa Valley High School, the District realized that a revitalized stadium could have a positive impact on both its students and its community. JUSD believed that providing state-of-the-art athletic facilities would increase their students’ sense of community and belonging, demonstrate the District’s commitment to them, and allow Jurupa Valley High School to have a real presence within the community.
How They Did It
JUSD utilized developer fees and took advantage of local grant programs totaling $200,000 to supplement the project and bring its vision to life. Staff and students agree that the stadium has had a positive impact on the campus and has rekindled the positive culture that staff and students experience on campus. According to Principal Kimberly Corbin, “the amazing stadium upgrades have brought a new sense of pride and commitment to our school and community.” This sentiment is echoed by a student athlete, who adds “the stadium has helped the team work harder so that we can represent our school with pride on our new field.”
Sacramento City Unified School District
In northern California, the maintenance staff at Sacramento City Unified School District’s (SCUSD) John F. Kennedy High School (JFK) used to spend most of their time infilling gopher holes on game days, hoping the referees would allow play on the field. Injuries were commonplace, practice times were limited, and overall student participation in athletics was low. Not surprisingly, the football team was also suffering through a three-year losing streak.
How They Did It
In 2012, voters passed Measure R and the renovation of JFK’s stadium was one of the projects to be executed. The District wanted to replace the gopher-ridden field with an all-weather track and field hoping to reduce some maintenance costs. As it turns out, the student athletes were the real winners. Field-induced injuries dropped, enabling student athletes to stay healthy for the entire season. And the all-weather field can be used rain or shine, creating a more consistent practice schedule regardless of weather.
JFK’s Athletic Director Marcos Pineda shared, “the stadium brings positive attention to our programs, showcasing the fact we value our student athletes and their experience. For some who may have been deciding between our campus and others, this may have been the tipping point in choosing to attend Kennedy.” He added “the facility helped both in recruiting quality coaches and in retaining the quality coaches already on staff.”
In the season following the stadium grand opening, the football team ended their losing streak with a big win, finished the 2014 season with four wins, and made it to the playoffs the following season—a feat that hadn’t been accomplished since 1990.
More from Author
HMC Architects | Apr 13, 2023
Creating a sense of place with multipurpose K-12 school buildings
Multipurpose buildings serve multiple program and functional requirements. The issue with many of these spaces is that they tend not to do any one thing well.
HMC Architects | Jun 2, 2022
Women in Architecture: How HMC Pioneers Gender Equality
A survey by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) shows that while women account for nearly half of graduates from architecture programs, they only make up about 15 percent of licensed architects.
HMC Architects | Jan 20, 2020
Robotics in architecture and construction: An industry shift
Architects who embrace this intriguing and dynamic technology now will be better equipped to design the most efficient buildings of the future.
HMC Architects | Jul 30, 2019
What is the future of architecture as a profession?
With the rapid evolution of available technologies, and the integration of them into the profession, the role of an architect is changing faster than it ever has before.
HMC Architects | Mar 6, 2019
What is the role of the architect in healthcare data security?
Safeguarding sensitive data is top of mind for healthcare administrators across the country, and, due to the malicious intents of hackers, their security efforts are never-ending.
HMC Architects | Jan 22, 2019
Rethinking classroom design to promote collaboration
A dynamic learning space needs to center around the learner, and be flexible enough to transform into any configuration that will facilitate collaboration, especially as curriculums change.
HMC Architects | Aug 24, 2018
Encourage student wellness by incorporating active design into college campus architecture
Before you incorporate active design into your college campus, you need to understand exactly what doing so entails.
HMC Architects | Jul 11, 2018
Why school architects must understand how students learn
Would instruction be more effective if students spent less time passively listening to lectures and more time actively learning through activities, discussions, and group work?
HMC Architects | May 16, 2018
Sustainability is dead: Regenerative architecture is the new green
Is sustainability a model that our culture should adopt and promote knowing that the bucket will one day be empty?