Foundation hopes Sports Plaza can replace athletic facilities

When the SHS Foundation, a group that raises money for various projects on campus, observed the inadequacy of the restrooms near the football field, they never imagined an idea to renovate the area would grow into a $1.5 million Sports Plaza project.

According to assistant principal Kevin Mount, the foundation came up with the idea about two years ago but ultimately shot it down because of the project’s size and the struggling economy.

Tami Shepherd, the head of the marketing campaign for the project, said after painting the school, improving its technology resources and revamping its landscape, the foundation was looking to launch a new project. In January, the foundation resurrected the Sports Plaza idea and from there it gained momentum.

Mount said although the plan is still rough and non-detailed, the draftings for the facility have gone quickly and smoothly so far, since the people working on it have many ideas.

One such idea is a state-of-the-art team room, which would have multiple uses. According to Mount, athletes would be able to meet there before, during and after practices and games. P.E. classes would also have the option of using it as a classroom and members of marching band could change there.

Mount also said the foundation is looking into a new concession stand similar to the ones at Los Gatos High School, which are permanent and indoors.

“Having a more permanent snack shack with a place where [volunteers] can store stuff and roll the window open—and where you can walk up to it and buy your goodies—is kind of compelling,” Mount said. “It would be an upgrade for people coming to events in the plaza.”

The foundation also hopes to build a new ticket office, create more storage space and beautify the area with landscaping. The main focus, however, is restroom facilities that are more appropriate for the large crowds seen at football games and other field events.

“The current restroom facility is inadequate and outdated,” Shepherd said. “Numerous porta-potties have to be brought in and lined up along the track to accommodate the numbers of people we have attending sports and band events. These are not only unsightly, but also on a warm day, they smell!”

The official launch of this long-term project was at the Red Pride Tailgate on Sept. 21. Since then, the foundation has spread the word about the Sports Plaza through a letter in the first day packet, press releases, articles in the Mercury News and Saratoga News and a table with information at home football games.

Shepherd said she plans to send another fundraising letter to the school in December and target local businesses to raise the necessary funds.

“Shepherd should be thanked in print for all her hard work on the marketing campaign,” Mount said. “She’s done a lot of hard work in terms of getting all the marketing together.”

According to Shepherd, now that the marketing is in place, the foundation’s main challenge is raising enough money to get the project off its feet.

“The Sports Plaza benefits P.E., sports teams, band and the entire Saratoga community,” Shepherd said. “We encourage parents to donate now so we can build the Sports Plaza by 2014.”

Mount said he is not sure how long it will take to build the Sports Plaza but looks forward to seeing it come to life.

“We have this beautiful performing arts center,” Mount said, “and it would be nice to have a beautiful field plaza to support the sports programs, marching band programs and all the other events that go on at the field.”

Donations for the Sports Plaza can be made by sending a check to the school payable to the Saratoga High School Foundation, contacting them using the link on the school’s website or finding their table at home football games.