Public Recreation Unlimited Breaks Ground on Rabobank Stadium at the Salinas Sports Complex

Salinas, CA-August 8, 2012- Public Recreation Unlimited (PRU) broke ground earlier today on the future site of Rabobank Stadium at the Salinas Sports Complex at 175 Maryal Drive in Salinas. Rabobank is a true community partner who believes in the goals of PRU and the future of the youth in our area. “As a community bank, Rabobank is proud to support a stadium that will provide a home for local sports teams, a venue for cultural events, and a place to foster community spirit here in Salinas,” said Harry Wardwell, Regional President of Rabobank.

Public Recreation Unlimited President Warren Wayland, President of the California Rodeo Association Benny Jefferson, Mayor of Salinas Dennis Donohue and Harry Wardwell Regional President of Rabobank were all on hand to address the crowd and talk about the importance of this project. The ceremony included a symbolic groundbreaking and was followed by a luncheon provided by Rabobank.

The state-of-the-art stadium will feature 90,000 square feet of artificial playing turf, 6,000 seats and be 11 feet below grade to create a bowl type field. Designers contributing to the project include Belli Architecture Group and Bellinger, Foster & Steinmitz. PRU has also partnered withHartnellCollegeand Rancho Cielo, utilizing students for various aspects of the project such as demolition of grandstands and other projects that will provide them with hands on experience in the construction trades.  The project, once completed, will be managed by the California Rodeo Association.

Construction is expected to be complete by August 30, 2013 so local high school teams can play their 2013 football seasons in the new Rabobank Stadium. The stadium will also be used almost daily by the neighboring Boys & Girls Club as a space for outdoor activities. The stadium will also going to be used for soccer games, all star football games and more.

Public Recreation Unlimited is appreciative of the contributions and donations received to date. The community is supporting this stadium in a big way; fundraising for the total $7 million dollar project is currently at 73% of budget. There are still sponsorship and naming opportunities available. For sponsorship information, a list of current PRU Board members and contributing sponsors, please visit www.PublicRecUnlimited.com or contact Warren Wayland at 831-759-6300.

About The Stadium:

 

The stadium will feature a bowl design with the playing surface 11 feet below the natural elevation. The field itself will be a synthetic turf surface and will be built to NCAA regulations.

 

The seating configuration will feature 3,628 seats on the home side of which 744 will be stadium seating. The visitor’s side will have seating for 1400.

 

Other enhancements include a 3,000 square foot field house, two separate entrances, a barbecue and concession area, state of the art scoreboard and announcer/coaches booth.  Over 100 new parking places will be added.

 

This facility will be a premier sports venue for the City ofSalinasand provide opportunities to engage youth in positive activities. Potential uses for this facility include: professional and youth soccer, high school all-star and league play games for both football and soccer, Junior College all star games, Junior College bowl games, football and soccer clinics and it will serve as the home field for bothPalmaandNorthSalinasHigh Schoolfootball teams. The stadium will be used by the adjacent Boys and Girls Club, allowing for the club to increase its capacity by 40%.

 

A Salinas Valley Athletic Hall of Fame recognition area has been incorporated into the entry plaza.

 

 

About Public Recreation Unlimited

 

Public Recreation Unlimited is a 501C3 charitable non-profit organization that was formed in 1970 raise funds from the public in order to place needed improvements on property devoted to recreational purposes. Since its inception, this group has raised millions of dollars for projects in Sherwood Park such as the renovation and reconstruction of the Rodeo Grounds into today’s multi-use Salinas Sports Complex that includes not only the arena, but softball fields, an indoor soccer facility and more. Public Recreation Unlimited is now embarking on a major fundraising campaign to collect $6 million dollars to build a state of the art stadium to house high school football, soccer and more. Youth in the Salinas Valley will benefit tremendously from the efforts of Public Recreation Unlimited. 

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