Plans in the works for face-lift for Golden Valley High School football stadium

The Merced Union High School District is making good on its promise to voters.

MUHSD board members passed a resolution Wednesday night to accept a report that found the environmental impact on the expansion of Golden Valley High School's joint-use football stadium negligible.

The project is part of the Measure M bond package, a $149.5 million bond passed by voters in November 2008.

The bond was meant to fund $210 million in projects at every school in the high school district, with the state making up the difference. The bond was also supposed to go toward the construction of a new high school.

Golden Valley High School's stadium spectator capacity would increase from 850 to 4,000 seats, said MUHSD Capital Facilities Project Manager Travis Kirk.

Additional plans are for the new field to be made of turf with a rubberized synthetic track surrounding it, Kirk said. The track will also expand from six lanes to eight.

The field will be raised three feet to accommodate drainage during potential wet springs and summer seasons.

The press box and two concession stands will also be part of the project, Kirk added.

According to school officials, the projected cost for the improved stadium is $5.2 million.

While no major environmental impacts were noted, the district reported a few minor issues with parking and traffic the district plans to correct, said Michael Belloumini, MUHSD director of facilities and planning.

Some of the issues include the need to use Joe Herb Park for extra parking spaces should the lot at the high school reach capacity.

Also, the school may need help directing traffic in the event there is an event that attracts 4,000 people, Belloumini said.

The district may also contribute funds to a parking signal at Merced Avenue -- a road behind the school that is currently unpaved -- and Parson Avenue.

Cost estimates for the district's contribution are $45,000.

According to Belloumini, the district will go out to bid for the construction of the field and groundwork over the summer. A process, he added, that should be completed by Nov. 1.

The district said it hopes to use local workers for the earth-moving and the construction of the concession stands and underground utilities, Kirk said.

The bleachers will take nine to 12 months to construct, because it's more of a specialized project, Belloumini added.

"This has needed to happen for a very long time," said Sheila Whitley, MUHSD California Teachers Association president. "I know it's expensive now, but it will be worthwhile."

Reporter Jamie Oppenheim can be reached (209)385-2407 or joppenheim@mercedsun-star.com.

This story was originally published May 27, 2010 at 1:12 AM with the headline "Plans in the works for face-lift for Golden Valley High School football stadium."