For McPherson High School sports fans and followers you should be aware of our ongoing relationship with McPherson College. With the continued partnership of the USD 418 school district, McPherson College, who owns the stadium, will start the 1.6 million dollar stadium improvements to the facilities.

It is said by Andrew Ehling, athletic director at McPherson College, that the final project will include a new press box, ADA-compliant ramps, new spectator seating, and improvements to sidewalks, fencing, restrooms, and locker rooms. The project also included replacing the football and soccer grass practice fields south of stadium with ideas of making the area more usable. Along with the improvements to the concrete and the grass work, the college prepares to lay new turf at the stadium.

“Being a senior it is a bit frustrating not to finish my last soccer season where it all started,” said senior girls soccer captain Michelle Corrillo, “but it is very exciting that they are making improvements to the stadium. In the end it is going to provide a much better environment for sports.”

Overall, these improvements are designed to reduce scheduling issues with the current fields. All projects are estimated to be start April 1 and to be completed by August 1 to be used for the start of the 2016-2017 school year. Between April 1 and August 1 the stadium will not be open for public use.

One downside of starting construction now is that all events including McPherson High’s Girls’ soccer team and Track and Field will have to find new facilities. Girls’ soccer will be practicing and playing at Grant while the Track and Field are split between different facilities around McPherson for practice and meets.
“I feel that the improvements are necessary because the stadium is quite outdated,” said junior track and field runner, Morgan Howard. “Despite the poor timing, I am excited to see the new improvements and modernizations. The time in which the college chose to start the construction process is not beneficial to the spring sport that I am currently in. We are unable to have a home track meet and will have limited practice space which is a frustrating scenario to be in. Overall the improvements will be beneficial just not for the MHS 2016 spring sports teams.”