'Dreams Come Alive': Northridge breaks ground for new Viking Stadium
ALEXANDRIA ― Threatening skies and rain in the forecast couldn't keep them away Tuesday evening.
Hundreds of people in the Northridge Local School District, from Homer, Croton, Alexandria and all points in between, did in fact come. They flocked to the area near the current track, to the side of the new elementary school and behind the high school and middle school, for an important moment in the district's history: ground was broken for a new Viking Stadium.
"I've been with the Athletic Boosters for almost 50 years, and a lot of changes have come through the district," Bob Crist said. "This is the best change I've ever seen, and a lot of credit goes to Andy Kalas (of the Boosters) and our former superintendent, Scott Schmidt, for getting this started."
Northridge school board vice president Jayma Bammerlin, who also chaired the 10-person Ad Hoc Master Plan Committee which saw this through, noted that 60 years ago this fall, the Viking football team opened in the current stadium.
"Now, this will benefit not just football, but track, soccer, band and plenty of other student activities," she said.
The $8 million project will be financed by $2 million raised by the Athletic Boosters, with the rest to be financed by the district. It is expected to be completed on the grounds of the old track in time for the fall of 2024 sports season, and includes a new turf field, 8-lane track with jump pits and throwing areas, press box, bleachers, scoreboard, lighting, concessions, heated restrooms and ticket booths.
The school is estimated to receive roughly $1 million annually from the Harvey Solar Project in Hartford and Bennington Townships. It has received state approval but is being appealed by opponents to the Ohio Supreme Court.
The current stadium has only portable restrooms, and the visiting bleachers, condemned in 2016, had to be moved onto the ground.
Robertson Construction, Legat Architects and Mendenhall and Associates comprise the design and construction team.
Kalas and the Northridge Athletic Boosters launched the fundraising phase of the project in August of 2021, and in December of 2022, the Board of Education passed a resolution supporting financing of the stadium up to $6 million. Curt Booher, Teri Holder and Kate Isler have been other driving forces for the Boosters, and campaign chairman Brian Elder said $1.5 million has been raised to date in cash, "but $2 million has always been the goal," he said. Fundraising is continuing in an effort to reach that goal.
"Terri Holder has been huge behind the scenes. She contacted over half of the donors," Elder said. "The Licking County Foundation has partnered with us and helped us manage our money. Nearly 300 people and businesses have donated anywhere from $20 to $15,000.
That doesn't include the major donors, which started with the Gilbert Reese Family Foundation's contribution of $500,000 in December of 2021. Al Coughlin of Coughlin Motors donated $100,000, while Ariel Corporation gave $75,000, and Bob Rowe of REMAX Capital Centre Inc. Realtors, Park National Bank, McDonald's Mortellaro and the Mary E. Babcock Foundation all contributed $50,000.
There have been several $25,000 donors, including Robertson Construction, Debbie Kohman, RCD RV, Brian and Kate Isler, Ohio Gastro Group, Hinderer Motorsports, Licking Memorial Health Systems, Heartland Bank and the John and Mary Alford Foundation.
Athletic director Kevin Jarrett said he jumped into the "Dreams Come Alive" project two years ago.
"I've coached and I've played in high school and in college, and I've always thought that it's about the team," he said. "And every individual part played a part in this, so it truly was a team."
Superintendent Dr. Kristine Michael, who recently took over for Schmidt, was the assistant superintendent and is very familiar with the district. She echoed Jarrett's thoughts.
"It took genuine team support, and is a clear example of what we can do when we work together," Michael said. "It's not just about sports. It's a space where the community can unite, and unlock the potential for our community. We're not like other districts. There are no cities. It's communities, towns, villages and townships."
Northridge covers 137 square miles, about 20% of Licking County, one of the largest districts in the state by land. But it is a Division VI school in football, the second-smallest division. That is expected to change with Intel fast approaching, so it is committed to not only meeting the needs of current students, but preparing for new families in the expected population growth.
High school athletes spoke at Tuesday's festivities, and are excited to be part of that future.
"I've played soccer since the second grade, and I'm the fourth generation of my family to attend school in this district," Lyla Stockberger said. Added boys soccer player Braden Knerr, who has also played since the second grade: "We were one of just three schools in the LCL to not have a turf field. Now that's changing."
Jarrett feels the Vikings have the coaches in place to realize the potential. "This is going to not only be a place to call home, but a place to come back to," he said.
Athletic Boosters president Doug Goodwin said the motivation from the start for the stadium, was that Northridge's kids deserve better than what they have. The push continues to reach the $2 million. "Please help us satisfy that goal, which is what the kids deserve," he said.
To contribute
Checks can be sent to the Licking County Foundation, c/o Northridge Athletic Boosters Facility Improvement Fund, P.O. Box 4212, Newark, Ohio 43058. Or call Brian Elder (740-739-7020) or e-mail him at brian.elder@parknationalbank.com.
Those interested can also go to the website https://sites.google.com/northridgevikings.org/athleticcapitalcampaign.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: 'Dreams Come Alive': Northridge breaks ground for new Viking Stadium
