A new and improved entrance to the Ridgefield High School stadium is in the works.  At the March 23 School Board Meeting, Superintendent Nathan McCann updated the community and the school board on this community collaboration as well as highlighting a very generous $10,000.00 donation by the Ridgefield Booster Club. 

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“The Ridgefield Boosters of 2021 are thrilled to contribute to the RSD Ridgefield High School Stadium Improvement Project in honor of our Graduating Class of 2021. This project reflects the pride we share with all Spudders - past, present and future.  The RHS Stadium has long been a place for our Ridgefield Community to gather and cheer on our students and we believe this improvement reflects our Spudder Pride. In a year full of ups and downs it's nice to shine some positivity where we can. The Ridgefield Boosters are honored to be a part of this exciting endeavor and are proud to stand Ridgefield Resilient,” says Debbie McGravey, RHS Booster President.\r\n

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Funded entirely by community donations, this project will create an upgraded stadium entrance at Ridgefield High School and will include new signage, ticket booths and opportunities for individual and community recognition.  Click here to learn more.

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“Ridgefield has one of the most beautiful stadiums in the state with a view of Mt. St. Helens in the background,” said Brett Jones, Ridgefield school board member.  “This stadium entrance project is the final touch to give it the feel of entering into something very special!”\r\n

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The project gained traction last fall when Casey Wyckoff, principal at LSW Architects, approached Superintendent Nathan McCann with an exciting idea.  Wyckoff and his team at LSW, designed the schools for the district’s 2012 and 2017 bond programs and continue to partner with the district in design projects.\r\n

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With time he now had available to donate to the district, Wycoff felt it was a great time to design a new entryway for the Ridgefield High School stadium--a project suggested many times by community members over the years as other school districts have modernized their stadium facilities.  McCann welcomed the idea, seeing it as a great way to honor RHS’ graduating seniors in the Class of 2021 who have had a very difficult year.  And this would provide a great opportunity for the community (district partners, organizations and individuals alike) to come together to provide the funding.

Through the vision and resilience of key community partners, this project has become a reality.  Jim Buchan of Alliance Industrial Group says, “When Nathan came to me with his vision, I was completely aligned with him on what this structure should represent and how it should look. The structure will be primarily built of steel, so it is a perfect fit for me.  We want to make the fans excited to support the Spudders and intimidate our opponents as they walk through the gates. This structure will also bring recognition to the classes before us that made us great and encourage the future students to participate.  I love the steel business and don’t get many opportunities to do projects that everyone will enjoy. Nathan and the city councilors are so committed to making Ridgefield a better place, it is infectious.  I enjoy being around them and grateful they would let me participate in such a timeless monument.”  City Council members Ron Onslow, Rob Aichele and Lee Wells are now involved and excited about the project.  

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Ridgefield School District is grateful to the following community partners for their generous support:  Alliance Industrial Group, Inc. (AIG), Anchor Concrete, Emerick Construction, Jones Landscape, Inc., LSW Architects, Ridgefield Boosters, Prairie Electric, Riff_Creative, and RIXIR Systems.\r\n

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“The stadium entrance project represents Ridgefield’s greatest asset, the community,” said Superintendent McCann.  “The project is about engaging and bringing together a dynamic group of individuals and organizations, personally and professionally invested in Ridgefield.  Through their generous donations of time, talent and resources, an inspiring stadium entrance will warmly welcome families, friends, and guests to the stadium.”\r\n

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\r\n The RHS Stadium Improvement Project is scheduled for completion in late spring and will represent all Spudders past, present and future.  Inspired by the resilience of the Class of 2021, the enhanced stadium entrance will honor the many generations of Ridgefield residents who have and will continue to gather at the stadium to cheer on future generations of Spudders in the years to come.  For more information or to donate to this project please be sure to visit www.ridgefieldsd.org