Saratoga High School Plans Athletic Facilities Overhaul

Editor's Note: This article was written for Saratoga Patch as part of a San Jose State University journalism class assignment. The writer welcomes your feedback and comments.

In March, Saratoga High School officials announced a major overhaul of its athletic facilities.

Paul Robinson, Saratoga High School principal, said that the project will consist of two parts, or phases, which will be covered by the Saratoga High School Foundation, the fundraising arm of the elite campus.

Phase one will consist of reconstruction of the stadium. The stadium turf field will be replaced first, after which additions of an entrance, bathrooms, ticket booths and a snack bar, altogether to be called the Sports Plaza, will be added, according to Robinson.

Construction of the stadium itself will begin in June and is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 1 of this year. After the last home football game of 2013, the Sports Plaza will begin its construction, and is estimated to be completed by fall of 2014.

Phase two will include renovating the baseball, softball, and multipurpose fields by replacing old turf with new. This phase is scheduled to begin in June of 2014 and is to be completed by the fall of 2014, said Robinson.

At an estimated cost of $4.9 million, the project is finding funds through private donors with the help of the SHS Foundation.

"To date we have over 100 donors that have pledged or given a total of $2.2 million," said Robinson.

Although there is still business to be done with such a large scale renovation of one of the major components of any high school campus, Robinson is optimistic.

"We’re excited about beginning the work this summer. Our hope is that we provide every opportunity with these improved facilities for students to go as far as they can," he said.

"Every student on campus will benefit from these improvements through athletics, marching band, clubs, classes, and community involvement.  We like win-win scenarios like that," he added.