Community Splits Over High School Stadium Plans

Hundreds of Lake Forest residents turned out Thursday evening to voice their opinions on a proposal to install bleachers and lighting around the field.

An increase in noise, traffic and the glare of bright lights topped the list of concerns expressed by residents, many of whom live adjacent to the high school.

Proponents said the revamped field would give the school's athletic programs a boost, allowing greater flexibility with practice times and—most importantly—the ability to host at-home competitions. 

"It's really important because we have to go to Trabuco [Hills High School] to practice and for us, Trabuco is enemy territory," said Max Bailey, 15, a freshman on the El Toro High football team.

Hosting home games would bring bigger audiences to Chargers competitions, added his teammate Luke Martinez, 16.

More than 20 residents spoke at the meeting, held in the high school's gymnasium, following a presentation by school officials and representatives of firms that have drawn up the initial plans.

El Toro's star quarterback, , spoke in favor of the project, calling it "every kid's dream" to compete on their home field.

But longtime area residents said that thousands of spectators would invade the nearby neighborhood, jam up traffic and limit parking.

Making El Toro High a destination for students at night would not only bring more traffic, but the potential for an increase in crime, said Henry Deming, who said he has lived in the area since 1976.

"Bad things happen at night," he added.

If city residents—both for and against the project—work together, it should be possible to come up with a compromise that will please neighbors while getting the school a revamped home field, said Lake Forest City Council member .

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Under the current proposal, 18 rows of new home-side bleachers, able to fit 2,500 visitors, would be installed. On the visitor side, the proposal suggests 11 rows of bleachers to hold approximately 1,729 people. 

The school would also get a new scoreboard, concessions building with ticket booths and restrooms, and wheelchair-accessible ramps and parking. 

Four new lighting poles, each to stand 80 feet high, would illuminate the field.

In addition to football, the school's marching band, color guard, track and field, lacrosse and soccer teams would benefit from the revamped stadium.

The district plans to use Redevelopment Agency money—funds available only for capital improvement projects such as planning, design, financing, constructing, installing and inspecting facilities—for the project, which is still months away from appearing before the school board.

The Saddleback Valley Unified School District is accepting through June 12.

The public will also have a chance to comment on a draft report summarizing the environmental impacts of the project from June 29 through Aug. 13.

Sometime in September, the school board is expected to consider the proposal.

Those interested in commenting on the proposal can send written comments to Noemi Avila-Zamudio, Coordinator, Facilities Planning and Construction Department at 25631 Peter A. Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 or to avilan@svusd.org.

This story has been updated.