It’s been 66 years since Chico High School students have been able to watch a football game on their own campus.
On Aug. 24, that drought was finally ended when the school inaugurated its new $5 million football stadium with a game against Sacramento High School.
During Chico High's six decades of not having a home field, teams have played on Chico State’s stadium and, most recently, at their rival's field at Pleasant Valley High School.
CHS Athletic Director Gary Story said the new stadium has made an immediate impact on the school.
“The league approved an increase in ticket prices, so we were able to increase them by one dollar. More alumni have been coming to the games because of all the excitement around the new stadium as well as the rest of the surrounding Chico community,” Story said.
The new stadium has a capacity of around 5,000 fans, so CHS has a new challenge of feeding all of them, so the high school contracted with local Chico restaurants to serve everything from Mexican food to hot dogs and soda.
Sports boosters are in charge of the concessions stand and raised the money for a brand new video scoreboard that stands tall on the south end of the field.
Another feature of the new stadium is a brand new press box at the top of the bleachers.
Inside, stat takers and announcers sit to watch the game. The announcer is heard throughout the stadium live during the game.
The stadium’s new speakers have the ability to direct their sound away from the surrounding homes in the area so neighbors don’t have to worry about noise during games.
Fans can thank Chico voters for the new stadium.
Two years ago, they approved Measure K, a ballot initiative that provides money for Chico Schools to pay for school improvements.
Under terms of the initiative, the district was able to sell up to $152 million in bonds to construct new facilities.
The Panthers are definitely enjoying their stadium, starting this football season 4-0. This year's Almond Bowl will be hosted at the new stadium, so all football fans in Chico will have an chance to appreciate the new facility.
-- Markus McElwee