Renovations coming for Ontario stadium, track

Courtney McNaull | Mansfield News Journal

ONTARIO - Upgrades are on the way for Ontario High School's football stadium and track, thanks to private donations given through the district's Athletic Booster Club.

The district board of education on Tuesday approved the approximately $700,000 stadium renovation project, which includes a new ticket booth with technology upgrades, a new track, a new sound system, new concrete and fencing and the creation of "Grit Street," a road-like path that will connect the district's athletic facilities to provide a unified feel for athletic programs.

The project is paid for entirely by donations, primarily from four local donors who remain anonymous, athletic director Chis Miller said. Miller said the district hopes to recognize the donors publicly in the future if they agree to go public with their gifts.

Designed by MKC Architects, the project is set to be constructed by Adena over the summer. The school hopes to have the project completed by the first home football game of the season in September.

The stadium renovation marks the second phase of a three-phase athletic facility update underway at Ontario. The first phase included a new wrestling room and an updated weight room.

More: Ontario gets new wrestling, weight rooms

Fundraising is underway for phase three, which will include an indoor turf area with locker rooms and a community room, Miller said.

A new, larger ticket booth will feature credit card technology. The project will create more space in the stadium area for people to gather and socialize.

A new track will replace the current one, which was built in 1992 and has some drainage issues, Miller said.

The project also includes the creation of "Grit Street," a pathway between athletic facilities named for the book "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance" by Angela Duckworth.

Miller said he plans to start a program to honor athletes who demonstrate grit.

cmcnaull@gannett.com

419-521-7220

Twitter: @courtneymcnaull