Golden Valley stadium named to honor veterans' service
When it is completed this fall, Merced's new stadium at Golden Valley High School will honor this area's military veterans.
Merced Union High School District trustees last week unanimously named the $6 million complex near Childs and Parsons avenues Merced Veterans Stadium.
The complex -- to be used jointly by Merced and Golden Valley high schools -- should be completed in July or August.
Trustee Mike Carpenter said he knows many teachers are veterans and many graduates either are in the service now or are veterans.
"This one (name) has the most universal appeal," Carpenter said. "It's fitting to honor the veterans. I liked the idea of the name coming from the community since it's our intent to make these community facilities."
Mike Belluomini, the district's director of facilities planning, said stadium construction is a little behind schedule because of inclement weather but will be completed by the start of football season at the end of August.
The Golden Valley complex will feature bleachers seating 4,000 people, an all-weather track, turf and field, a handicapped lift, two ticket booths, restrooms and two large concession stands on both sides of the field.
Travis Kirk, the district's capital facilities project manager, spoke to trustees at Wednesday's meeting when they were deciding between Gateway Stadium and the veterans' naming option. Merced has been known for years as the "Gateway to Yosemite."
Kirk, who served for two years in the U.S. Army at Fort Riley, Kan., in the late 1980s, said there are a lot of veterans in Merced County, especially those who served at Castle Air Force Base. And there's a new generation of veterans returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. "They (veterans) appreciate that recognition," Kirk said. "Those are the right people to recognize."
He hopes that when a ribbon-cutting is held for the new stadium, a display case will house mementos from veterans' groups.
The district awarded a contract to build the stadium last August, to be shared by the Merced High Bears and Golden Valley Cougars, sports rivals. In January, trustees discussed designating the stadium as a districtwide facility rather than a single campus facility.
The public was solicited for names and responded with 26 suggestions. A selection committee narrowed the finalists.
The district also sent letters to 16 owners of large properties and businesses offering the opportunity to name the stadium in recognition of their business contribution to construction and maintenance of the facility.
The district received a rejection letter from Wal-Mart and no other replies to those letters.
Reporter Doane Yawger can be reached at (209) 385-2407 or dyawger@mercedsun-star.com.
This story was originally published April 20, 2011 at 1:52 AM with the headline "Golden Valley stadium named to honor veterans' service."