Why are the students sitting on the opposite side of the field at football games?
This is a temporary solution due to our seating capacity. Currently, our West bleachers only have 2,000 seats. This is not enough seats to accommodate our season ticket holders and students. The long- term plan is to expand the West bleachers to at least 4,000 seats which would provide us with the appropriate number of seats to accommodate all of our supporters.
Why are there no general admission seats available?
Again, due to our seating capacity, we want to make sure we comfortably accommodate as many fans as possible. By having only reserved seats we can make sure that all seats are being utilized properly. General admission sections typically are filled by spectators who "spread out" and cover multiple seats. The only seats that will not be reserved this year are our student sections. Two complete sections will be "reserved" for our students.
Will the funding for this project come from any current operating levy?
No. It is very specific that all funds from a levy be used toward operating costs of the school district. This project will be funded from the private sector. The goal is to do that through fundraising activities and by selling the naming rights to various landmarks of the facility.
Did the bond issue that was passed for the new school include a stadium?
Yes. With the new school, a 2,000 seat stadium was planned to be built on the grounds. Unfortunately, that size stadium is not adequate for a community of our size to host all school events. Including a larger stadium would have increased the overall cost of the bond issue. For this reason, alumni, community leaders, parents, local business and GlenOak Booster Clubs will join to conduct this campaign since it was not covered in the bond issue.
Why do we need a stadium?
Currently, our students are spread throughout the district with many activities taking place at different locations. Our goal is to bring as many of our students together to have a true home and community feel. Our students have to travel every day to both practices and “home” games. In addition to the disadvantage this presents to the kids, it is an additional expense on the district with increased costs of transportation. Not only will this facility be a place for our children to call home, but also a centerpiece for the entire community.
Will the stadium be used for football only?
Absolutely not! This facility is a multi-purpose complex that will be used for as many school and community events as possible. A facility with field turf would expand the use of the new complex by providing a venue for hundreds of events per year, including all levels of football, soccer, and band concerts. In addition, soccer, football, track, band, baseball, and softball would have a place to practice regardless of weather conditions. OHSAA playoffs and tournaments in various sports, graduation, and community events could also be hosted. This will help enhance our entire community.
Why don’t we continue using Fawcett Stadium?
Fawcett Stadium is a first-class facility that has served a great purpose as a football facility on average five times a year. It bridged a gap between our old stadium at Glenwood Middle School and our new stadium at GlenOak High School. We are the only football team in Stark County that does not have a football stadium to call home. That means we basically play all of our games as a visitor. Our team, band, students, and fans go to a stadium where there is no sense of community pride, which we desperately need. With the number of teams playing in Fawcett we are not guaranteed to have our games on Friday or Saturday nights. This, coupled with the fact that we lose revenue not hosting our own events, makes it a priority to build our own stadium.
How will a new complex benefit the students?
A stadium at GlenOak High School will benefit every student living in the Plain Local School District. Now more than 1,100 students participate in 20 different varsity sports and band. Research has shown that students involved in extra-curricular activities perform better academically, have a greater chance of receiving their diplomas and are less likely to be involved in juvenile crime and illicit drug use. A stadium at GlenOak High School would address a long-standing inequity and would provide the students at GlenOak with the same opportunities as the other students in Stark County.
How will a new complex benefit the community?
A complex at GlenOak High School will not only allow us to come home but to build a sense of community as well. The complex will provide a facility in which community residents can exercise daily and host band competitions, community league athletic playoffs and other cultural events. More importantly, it gives the residents of Plain Local a place they can call “home” and serve as a focal point as we develop and cultivate a sense of pride in our “community”.
For more information e-mail brabsont@plainlocal.org or call 330.492.3500 ext. 330