BENICIA HIGH’S softball field has a new set of bleachers behind home plate and another new set of bleachers down the third-base line.
Benicia High School is getting a makeover, with its biggest changes expected to be completed in the next couple of years.
The school was repainted over the summer in the school colors of blue and gold with some tan mixed in. The football field was watered over the summer and looks greener than last year, and the softball field recently had two new sets of bleachers installed, one behind home plate and another down the third-base line.
“It looks really nice and they probably seat about 100 people,” Benicia High Athletic Director Craig Holden said of the bleachers.
But the biggest project is the planned demolition of Drolette Stadium – which is as old as the school itself – in favor of a more modern facility. Thanks to a bond measure passed two years ago, Benicia High should have around $7 million available to completely rebuild the stadium with a synthetic turf field, a modern all-weather track, and new locker room and bathroom facilities.
“I think we’ll have a new stadium here in two or three years,” Holden predicted. “There will probably be a year where our football teams will have to play every game on the road, but I don’t mind spending a season on the road if it means getting a new stadium.”
Demolition of Drolette Stadium could begin as soon as end of this fall’s football season.
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Really, BUSD? Seven million dollars for a new football stadium? Our tax dollars couldn’t be spent in the classrooms? Good grief.
A waste for sure. BUSD should get its’ priorities straight.
I got a kick out of the comments by Tom and Suzanne. Did you read the information on the ballot? Or did you blindly just vote for the bond? A few other points. Where are they lacking in the classroom? There is much more to school than just the classroom – but keep in mind that the facilities are used by classrooms also — namely physical education. There are also hundreds of students who participate in athletic events that utilize the field. Where are the waste and misplace priorities? This is a project that is long overdue and well warranted.
You are correct. Maybe their big concern is soccor. If it all have been soccor fields I am sure one of the commentors would have loved it.
One of the commenters is having a slow day and is kicking at bee hives.
John, Although I own a home in Benicia, I do not vote in Benicia. The sports field is perfectly adequate for its’ intended purposes (soccer being one of them). In some parts of the world, or even this country, to have a facility like the existing one at BUSD would greatly welcome. As far as priorities go, education should be tops. As such, a school can still have a great physical education program, without even having a football team. Say what you will. Just know that I think ‘This is a project that is long overdue and well warranted” is subjective at best. If the 7 million, or portion thereof, could be used for anything else, I’d be for it.
The problem is the field is not adequate. Overuse takes a toll. Synthetic turf will allow more use, eliminate the need to water and fertilize, and be available rain or shine. The stands should have been red tagged a long time ago. The stands are not ADA compliant. I agree that education should be the top priority. This community has always stepped up and supported bond issues for the schools. This one project will continue to support education by both the PE department and soccer and football. As for my comment being subjective, go down and look at the facilities and then let me know what you think.
I understand the life/safety concerns on the stands. They should be repaired or replaced.
The initial cost of turf installation is about $500,000, maybe another $500,000 for the track. That leaves $6 million. I doubt that a full and complete replacement of the stands would/should be $6 million.
Drawbacks to synthetic turf:
-Expected Minimum Life Cycle of Synthetic Turf is 10 years and cost for replacement of synthetic turf after ten years (fabric only) is about $400,000.00 (inflation not included).
-Athletes are prone to more injuries on turf as opposed to natural surfaces (proven).
“go down and look at the facilities and then let me know what you think.”
I’ve played quite a few games of pick-up at the field. Even in off-seasons, it seems to be adequate. I might not be the gleaming pride of Benicia, however, it still seems highly practical.
A couple of counter points. The costs you provide for turf and track are low, very low. And they don’t include the removal of the existing track and turf. Second, there is a lot more than just stands. The article pointed out there will be new team rooms, which will also include bathrooms. Don’t forget the elevator too. All of which will need yo be ADA compliant. You are correct, the turf will require replacment in 10 years or so. But there is also a lot of work done on the existing turf by the city on an annual basis.
The comment about more injuries on synthetic vs real turf you say is proven. Far from it. A quick internet search shows that is not the case.
Even with locker rooms ADA compliance, elevators, it still comes up short (really they needs locker rooms by the field?).
On the contrary a quick internet search does come with studies that point to turf contributing to higher rates of ACL injuries in football.
Tom, I hate to disagree and I will not comment any further, but you are wrong. You found an article or two that supported your hypothesis that turf leads to higher ACL injuries than grass, but for every article you can find I can find at least one to counter that stance. The best study I have seen states that they need to study it more – hell one study I read said it is due to the poor choice of shoes worn by athletes.
As for the costs, call some of the other schools around here and ask them It should be easy – BHS is the ONLY school in Solano County and one of the few around period that still play on grass. Finally, yes, the locker rooms should be located neat the fields for a number of reasons.
My main point is that this community has supported well over $100,000,000 in bond money for this school district in the last 20 years or so. The athletic facilities, used by ALL students, not just sports teams after school, have not had a major upgrade in 50 years. This project is overdue and necessary to support the students of BHS and the community.
Then we’ll have to agree to disagree.
Good comments John. You are correct.
I get the turf, actually. It is just too much. I am not getting into your remark about my voting habits, that was just rude. I am just astounded at the price tag, John and Bob. Just my humble opinion as well as just your humble opinion. PS I have nothing to do with soccer. Both of my children cheered and marched on the field and sidelines of Drolette and before that when it was Memorial stadium.
Good move. All great leaders in America participated in sports. It is a good way to gain leadership abilities and also get along with other folks. All school activities are very good for all students not just sports. i do believe the music departments in all Benicia schools have shown that along with the drama departments. This is just as important..
What seems to be overlooked is that the BUSD did establish priorities on upgrades and they did it 15 years ago.
My sons attended either the high school or middle school, from 1995 to 2002, 0ther than perhaps the first year either one school or the other was undergoing major renovations and upgrades. Millions were spent and it was money well spent. As a family we got tired of the inconveniences that resulted from these projects but we never raised a voice in complaint. We recognized it was good for the future of Benicia and the schools.
This money was voted on and approved, and now there are complaints?
The stadium has not been improved since it was built? What 40 years ago?
Is not part of a school being good inclusive of first rate facilities for all areas of interest?
This is money well spent as it will benefit the kids and the community.
And I voice these thoughts as a Benician taxpayer, though no longer a voter.
Improvements are very important and do contribute to a lasting impression and a sense of pride as you move thru your life. I remember coming to Benicia in a yellow school bus via the ferry to play basketballl against Benicia. High in that still standing gym. That was in the late 40’s early 50’s. That gym was like many gyms of the time. You do see the difference as you get an opportunity to play in a very large updated gym at other schools. You see the pride of the other team. Finally when I was a senior we had a new gym. I did not get to play the season in the new gym but did use it as a senior after the season ended. A very big sense of pride was that gym and I will never forget it. It is more than just a facility. It represents the students, faculty, school board and for sure the the residents. Nothing like the best that you can get if possible. I see the pride in going to grammer, middle and high school music or drama events. It seems thje facility makes the event even more than it may be. This was the right thing to do. You wouild know the difference if you played high school football on dirt fields like I did. John Swett and Mt. Diablo high had dirt field in my early years of high school. So it does make a difference. Very good move.
Many of the best athletes in the world came up playing on dirt fields in their youth. If an athlete makes it about where they play, rather than the love of the game, then they are probably not long for the sport they are involved in. There is something to be said about purity and simplicity and sports. Sadly sports in the modern age has become somewhat overshadowed by the side show. It seem the importance has shifted to the spectator, rather than the players. If anything money should be allocated for youth development, which would emphasize training, keeping fit and in game shape during the off-season (not just three months out of the year).