Work Begins On LVJUSD High School Stadiums

From LVJUSD:Those who gathered on the bleachers this month to see students graduate at Granada and Livermore High schools (GHS, LHS) had the distinction of being a part of two transitions – celebrating both the academic success of the Class of 2018 and the final day of the bleachers on which they sat.

On-site preparation for stadium renovations started on June 9th, the day after the commencement festivities, as summer began for students in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District (LVJUSD). The Measure J Bond Program kicked off its stadium projects with a bang, starting with the demolition of the well-worn bleachers surrounding the football fields at GHS and LHS to make room for updated seating. The projects were underway as soon as possible after the school year ended and will continue throughout the summer toward the planned completion - in time for Homecoming at both campuses.

“We are very excited to have the new bleachers put in our stadium this summer,” said GHS Principal PJ Daley. “We cannot wait to have our first home football game and to host all of our fans safely and effectively.”

Each project includes replacement of the home and visitor bleachers, as well as a new press box. Work at LHS also includes a track expansion project consisting of a new rubberized surface and eight running lanes – up from the old track’s six – giving LHS the same track size as other high schools in the Tri-Valley. According to James Petersdorf, Athletic Director at LHS, while the current track meets regulations for a high school facility, the additional lanes will allow the school to host invitationals and dual meets.

Both the home and visitor side bleachers will be made of aluminum, a safer material than the old wooden bleachers that could splinter and deteriorate over time. The aluminum is also more cost-effective to maintain and will not require painting throughout the years, keeping the bleachers looking new while reducing maintenance cost.

These projects will provide upgrades to LVJUSD physical education facilities - a specific requirement of the Measure J Bond supported by the Livermore community - and will create safe gathering and spectator areas for students, local community groups, and visitors. Along with previous turf and track improvements completed at both high schools in 2017, weather-related downtime will be considerably reduced, creating additional opportunities for physical education, practices, and events that complement the campuses’ great academic programs.

“The Livermore student athletes are in for such a great treat with this new facility,” said Petersdorf. “The new bleachers and track will put us in a great position to continue to grow our already successful programs. Thank you to the Livermore community for helping this project become a reality.”

These projects represent a significant step in the Measure J Bond program’s modernizations and upgrades to LVJUSD campus facilities. Students, staff, and the community stand to benefit from the improvements provided by the bond for years, and can look forward to enjoying the renovated stadiums in the fall.

Images Via LVJUSD