Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

SALINAS SPORTS COMPLEX SOFTBALL FACILITY NAMED THE WARREN WAYLAND SOFTBALL COMPLEX

Monday, April 15th, 2019

TITLE HONORS WAYLAND’S LONG-TIME DEDICATION TO YOUTH SPORTS IN SALINAS

 

SALINAS, CA, March 31, 2017 – The California Rodeo Association is proud of its association with the local community and the volunteers who do much more than work during the four days of the annual rodeo. One of those tireless volunteers is Warren Wayland. He got involved with the California Rodeo Salinas when he was only 4 years old and continues to be involved to this day. Over several decades he served as a Director, Track Director, Treasurer and President, spearheading the development and construction of the Salinas Sports Complex arena and grandstands as well as Rabobank Stadium and the Salinas Storm Softball Facility. As a thank you for his dedication the softball facility will now be known as the Warren Wayland Softball Complex.  The sign was installed earlier this week at the main parking lot entrance (north of the Salinas Sports Complex Box Office off North Main Street) bearing the new name.  Macys is proud to support youth sports in our community and honored to donate the Warren Wayland Softball Complex sign.

 

More information about Warren Wayland:

Warren Wayland moved to Salinas at age 4, and shortly after began his involvement with the California Rodeo.  By age 8 he was leading riders to the track and when he was 11 his job was to take care of the California Rodeo’s president’s horse.  In 1980 Warren was made a Director and served as Treasurer.  Six years later he became Vice-President and also the Track Director, serving until 1993.  In 1994 he had reached the top and served as President of the California Rodeo for two years.  It was within those two years that Warren, along with the other Directors, decided that the old wooden grandstands would have to go, and so the work began to raise funds and complete plans for what we now call the Salinas Sports Complex.  Public Recreation Unlimited was incorporated by the Directors and Warren was instrumental in the design, construction, and fundraising for the new complex as well as the adjacent softball facility.  The fundraising for the two structures totaled over $19,000,000 and was successfully raised through hard work and dedication.  After Warren’s tireless efforts he was the recipient of the Gold Saddleman Award in 1996.

 

Outside of his California Rodeo involvement, Warren continues to enhance opportunities for youth in our community.  Warren is still the President of Public Recreation Unlimited and has now raised over $32 million dollars for the Salinas Sports Complex. He was the driving force behind Rabobank Stadium, the state of the art football arena now hosting prestigious events. Having four daughters, Warren has been extremely devoted to youth softball in the area. He started as a coach with Salinas Bobby Sox in 1984 when his daughters Jennifer and Janice were playing. He then coached his daughter, Jaime, at the Toro softball league.  Then, Warren co-founded the Salinas Storm in 1992, where he coached the first team. His daughter Jackie went on to play college softball at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and Jaime at Santa Clara University. His wife Margie has been an incredible supporter to Warren; both of them are always willing to find ways to raise funds and advance sports activities for local youth. The list of his accomplishments and dedication could go on and on, but one of Warren’s greatest achievements was developing the softball facility here at the Salinas Sports Complex.

About California Rodeo Salinas

 

The 107th California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 20th-23rd, 2017. The California Rodeo Association is a non-profit organization that strives to preserve and promote the traditions of the California Rodeo Salinas and the West. We support the community and other non-profit organizations through the staging of the annual California Rodeo Salinas and other year round operations of the Salinas Sports Complex. Through donation of our facility, vending and fundraising opportunities during Rodeo and other events, the California Rodeo Association returns over $300,000 annually to local non-profits. For more information about the California Rodeo Salinas, log on to www.CARodeo.com or call the California Rodeo Office at 831-775.3100. -‘Like’ the California Rodeo on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CARodeoSalinas or follow us on -twitter @CaliforniaRodeo for updates, photos and more.

NFL/LISC FOUNDATION GRASSROOTS PROGRAM AND SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS ANNOUNCE COMPLETION OF RABOBANK STADIUM AT THE SALINAS SPORTS COMPLEX

Monday, April 15th, 2019

December 10, 2013

The NFL/LISC Foundation Grassroots program and the San Francisco 49ers are pleased to announce the completion of the first football season at Rabobank Stadium on Friday December 13, 2013 at 6:30pm. Representatives from the San Francisco 49ers, LISC and Public Recreation Unlimited will be present for a special ceremony prior to the Monterey County All Star Football game. The project was initiated by Public Recreation Unlimited through a grant of $200,000 from LISC and the San Francisco 49ers as part of the National Football League Foundation Grassroots Program, which now brings the total to over $1,000,000 in youth related grants facilitated by the 49ers in less than a decade.

The grant, awarded by the 49ers, the NFL Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), was combined with over $9.3 million private donations. Rabobank Stadium at the Salinas Sports Complex serves as a home to youth, high school and junior college football.

“We are absolutely thrilled to team with the NFL Foundation Grassroots Program and LISC to bring this initiative to life,” said John York, chairman of the 49ers Foundation and co-chairman of the 49ers. “The brand-new Rabobank Stadium at the Salinas Sports Complex will enhance the community and provide an improved venue for enjoying physical activity.”

The new field will offer a range of athletic programming for the community including NFL PLAY 60 activities and tackle and flag football leagues. It will also serve as a physical education site for the Boys & Girls Club of Monterey County Salinas unit.

“We are delighted that this new field will provide a safe place to play to thousands of children, youth and families in Salinas,” said Margaret Gee, Executive Director of Bay Area LISC. “This is our first field in Salinas and we are thrilled to help provide more recreational opportunities to promote active and healthy lifestyles in this community.”

The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, a partnership between the NFL Foundation and LISC, the nation’s leading community development support corporation, has resulted in the construction or renovation of 273 football fields nationwide in the past 12 years. During that time, the NFL Foundation has granted more than $35 million to revitalize playing fields in underserved neighborhoods. Fields are newly built or significantly renovated, with improvements such as irrigation systems, lights, bleachers, scoreboards, goal posts and turf. Grassroots grants are issued once established funding thresholds are reached for each project.

LISC identifies local, nonprofit, neighborhood-based agencies which have an interest in building or refurbishing football fields in schools and parks in underserved neighborhoods. Through the program, the local agencies are provided with the necessary financing and technical assistance to improve the quality and safety of fields in their neighborhoods. The local agencies oversee the construction, maintenance and programming of the fields. ”Our focus at LISC is on building sustainable communities – good places to live, work, do business and raise families,” said Michael Rubinger, LISC president and CEO. “Developing recreational opportunities is a key part of that, and the NFL Foundation has been a committed partner in making it happen.”

About the NFL Foundation
The National Football League Foundation (NFL Foundation) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and safety of sports, youth football and the communities in which we live. The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health and safety of athletes, youth football, and the communities which support our game.

About LISC
LISC combines corporate, government, and philanthropic resources to help nonprofit community development corporations revitalize distressed neighborhoods. Since 1980, LISC has raised $12 billion to build or rehab 289,000 affordable homes and develop 46 million square feet of retail, community, and educational space nationwide. LISC support has leveraged nearly $40 billion in total development activity. For more information, visit www.lisc.org.

About the San Francisco 49ers Foundation
The San Francisco 49ers Foundation is the non-profit community funding extension of the San Francisco 49ers. Now in its 21st year, the 49ers Foundation supports development programs for underserved youth that keep them, “Safe, On Track, and In School.” The San Francisco 49ers are promoting RESPECT for schools and community by donating a significant portion of the foundation’s funding toward family violence prevention programs and activities that teach youth leadership and respect. Since 1992, the Foundation has donated over $20 million to support non-profits, including $2.9 million in 2012.

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 wrapping up a major fundraising campaign to collect over $9 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.

Contacts: Marsha Murrington, Bay Area LISC 415.397.7322 x 26

Public Recreation Unlimited is making progress on Rabobank Stadium Construction

Thursday, February 28th, 2013

In the fundraising homestretch, donations are still needed to complete the Project!

Salinas, CA-February 13, 2013- Public Recreation Unlimited (PRU) broke ground on Rabobank Stadium at the Salinas Sports Complex in August 2012. Throughout the winter, crews have been working diligently to dig the hole that will house the 11 feet below grade field, construct the field house and much more. While progress is going well and the project is on track to be completed by the end of August 2013, funds are still needed to meet the $7 million budget. PRU has raised over $6 million in private cash and in-kind donations to date. For a list of donors, please visit the “Project Donors” tab on www.publicrecreationunlimited.com. To donate to the project or schedule a site visit and interview, please contact Warren Wayland at 831-759-6300.

Progress photos can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/public.recreation.unlimited

 

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 3,500 seats on the home side of which 544 will be stadium seating. The visitor’s side will have seating for 1,500.

Other enhancements include a 3,000 square foot field house, two separate entrances, a barbecue and concession area, state of the art, full color video scoreboard and announcer/coaches booth.

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. The first Hall of Fame induction event is tentatively scheduled for Friday August 31st and the Opening Day of Rabobank Stadium will be Saturday September 7th. More information and details about both events will be announced this Summer.

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

Wednesday, August 8th, 2012

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. 

Public Recreation Unlimited’s ‘A Legendary Evening’ was a Legendary Success

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012

Public Recreation Unlimited’s ‘A Legendary Evening’ was a Legendary Success

Fundraiser Delighted a Sold Out Crowd with an Energetic Panel of NFL Greats

 

Salinas, CA-March 12, 2012- Those who purchased tickets to attend ‘A Legendary Evening’ may not have known what to expect, but surely left excited about The Stadium Project and the fact that Herm Edwards, NFL Hall of Famers Ronnie Lott and Steve Young and Master of Ceremonies, Jim Tunney, donated their time to address the group about the great sport of football and the benefits of supporting your community with projects like this. The speakers were humorous, yet serious while discussing major issues going on in the NFL; they had a great rapport with each other and delivered an interesting panel discussion to the crowd of 471 people.

Public Recreation Unlimited and their dedicated committee had been working on this event for over a year and are proud to have achieved getting the NFL legends to attend, procuring all components of the delicious meal via donations and putting together an outstanding list of live auction items which included 12 footballs autographed by Herm Edwards, Steve Young and Ronnie Lott and delivered to the buyers via a pass from Steve Young, which was one of the highlights of the evening. Another highlight was the outstanding meal prepared by Chef Beat Giger and his team from Pebble Beach Resorts. They outdid themselves with a melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon and more. Their staff also trained and directed over 50 high school football players from North Salinas and Palma High Schools to deliver the meals to the guests. It is fitting that these players helped to put on the event as those two schools will call The Stadium their home. The Culinary Class from North Salinas High School also assisted the team from Pebble Beach Resorts. Youth and High School Cheerleaders from the Toro Bulls, Palma and North Salinas High Schools lent their spirit to the evening welcoming guests, ushering in the NFL greats and selling tickets right along side the 49er Gold Rush Cheerleaders.

The evening was a resounding success, bringing in an estimated $125,000 net profit through the live auction, ticket sales and a drawing for the ultimate tail gate package. The organizations that will use the new stadium that this money will go toward include not only North Salinas and Palma High School Football teams, but Pop Warner football teams, youth soccer leagues and the Boys and Girls Club. A total of 135 volunteers worked to make this event the tremendous success that it was. A special thank you to all of the event sponsors: Owner’s Suite Level: The Cava Family, 50 Yard Line Level: Don Chapin Co., Hayashi & Wayland, 1st Capital Bank and 30 Yard Line Level: Brent Eastman Insurance Services, California Rodeo Salinas, Chilton & House LLP, Colorful Harvest and Rabobank.

Another thank you goes out to our donors:

Live Auction Donors

Mission Ranches Company, LLC

San Jose Giants

Trey Busch & Aon Risk Insurance

Monica Abbott

Ron Clements

Sam Eastman

Warren Wayland

Mark House-Sports Gallery

Oakland Raiders

Oakland A’s Athletics

California Rodeo Salinas

Granite Construction

Richard Dorr-Discovery Charters

Stephen Goldman

NH3 Service Company-Jim Lipe

San Jose Sharks

Gib Papazian-Lucky Strike Farms

Alan Shipnuck

Phil Johnson

Salinas Golf & Country Club

Struve & Laporte Funeral Home

Alta Vista Mortuary

Michael Olmstead

Gary and Joan Vincenz

Boekenoogen Winery

Talbott Vineyards

Bernardus Winery

Mike Cling- The Sports Gallery

Coors Rodeo

Dan & Linda Russell-Western Rodeos

 

In-Kind Donations

Peninsula Business Interiors

TriCord

Mission Linens

Riddell-Rick Carl

A/V Solutions, Inc.

Jim Tunney Youth Foundation

Martella Printing & Graphic Design

 

Auctioneers

Butch Lindley

Kevin Richardson

 

Food Donations

Harris Ranch

Del Mar Seafood- Joe Roggio

Sysco

Berkeley Farms

Star Market

Sumano Bakery

Sam Jenkinson

Starbucks Coffee-South Main & North Main Streets

 

Dinner Preparation

Pebble Beach Resorts-Chef Beat Giger and his Culinary Team

 

Wineries
Boekenoogen

Caraccioli

Wrath

Manzoni

Scheid Vineyards

Paraiso

 

Special Thanks to Our Volunteers

Palma High School

North Salinas High School

Salinas High School

Toro Bulls

Vicki Andrus

Holly Harris

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

A Legendary Evening is now SOLD OUT

Monday, March 5th, 2012

Thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting this event:

OWNER’S SUITE

The Cava Family

 

50 YARD LINE

1st Capital Bank

Don Chapin Company

Hayashi & Wayland

 

30 YARD LINE

Brent Eastman Insurance

Chilton & House LLP

Colorful Harvest

Rabobank

 

Live Auction Donors

Mission Ranches Company, LLC

San Jose Giants

Trey Busch & Aon Risk Insurance

Monica Abbott

Ron Clements

Sam Eastman

Warren Wayland

Mark House-Sports Gallery

Oakland Raiders

Oakland A’s Athletics

California Rodeo Salinas

Granite Construction

Richard Dorr-Discovery Charters

Stephen Goldman

NH3 Service Company-Jim Lipe

San Jose Sharks

Gib Papazian-Lucky Strike Farms

Alan Shipnuck

Phil Johnson

Salinas Golf & Country Club

Struve & Laporte Funeral Home

Alta Vista Mortuary

Michael Olmstead

Gary and Joan Vincenz

Boekenoogen Winery

Talbott Vineyards

Bernardus Winery

Mike Cling- The Sports Gallery

Coors Rodeo

Dan & Linda Russell-Western Rodeos

 

In-Kind Donations

Peninsula Business Interiors

TriCord

Mission Linens

Riddell-Rick Carl

A/V Solutions, Inc.

Jim Tunney Youth Foundation

Martella Printing & Graphic Design

 

Auctioneers

Butch Lindley

Kevin Richardson

 

Food Donations

Harris Ranch

Del Mar Seafood- Joe Roggio

Sysco

Berkeley Farms

Star Market

Sumano Bakery

Sam Jenkinson

Starbucks Coffee-South Main & North Main Streets

 

Dinner Preparation

Pebble Beach Resorts-Chef Beat Giger and his Culinary Team

 

Wineries
Boekenoogen

Caraccioli

Wrath

Manzoni

Scheid Vineyards

Paraiso

 

Special Thanks to Our Volunteers

Palma High School

North Salinas High School

Salinas High School

Toro Bulls

Vicki Andrus

Holly Harris

 

Public Recreation Unlimited to host ‘A Legendary Evening’ on March 10th

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

Public Recreation Unlimited to host ‘A Legendary Evening’ on March 10th

Fundraiser to include a Gourmet Meal and All-Star Football Panel

 

Salinas, CA-February 14, 2012- Public Recreation Unlimited is in the final stages of planning a unique fundraiser titled ‘A Legendary Evening’ that will be held on Saturday March 10th. Former National Football League superstars and Forty Niners Steve Young and Ronnie Lott are confirmed to attend the event along with Hall of Famer Herm Edwards and former Head of NFL Referees Jim Tunney who will be the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. This elite evening will feature a gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Beat Giger of Pebble Beach Resorts, a panel of NFL stars, unique live auction items and more. The event will take place at the Salinas Sports Complex in the Exhibition Mall at 5:30pm. To stay up to date on ‘The Stadium’ project, visit www.PublicRecUnlimited.com where you will find the list of donors, board members, latest news, plans for the stadium and more.

The event proceeds will benefit ‘The Stadium’ project at Salinas Sports Complex. Learn more details below. Tickets for this event are $150 each and available now at 831-775-3100. The best seats will be assigned to those who secure their reservation with prompt payment. Donations are tax deductible. Support this worthy project that will enhance the lives of youth in the Salinas Valley for many years to come.

Sponsorship Opportunities are still available. Please email Steve Davis at [email protected] for more information about sponsorship levels and benefits.

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 of Salinas and 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 both Palma and North Salinas High School football 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.

 

To donate to the project please contact Warren Wayland at 831-759-6300 and look for updates coming soon at www.publicrecunlimited.com.

 

 

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.

 

CONTACT: Warren Wayland, 831-759-6300

 

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott Joins Speaker’s Panel for New Stadium

Former 49er and Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott will be joining his former team mate and fellow Hall of Famer Steve Young on the speaker’s panel at the fundraiser for the new stadium. Master of Ceremony for the evening will be long time NFL official Jim Tunney.

 Striving to raise at least $5 million more dollars to complete this state of the art stadium where the current Municipal Stadium now sits in disrepair, the organization is planning a one of a kind event on Saturday March 10, 2012.  Other former NFL players have been invited, but have yet to confirm. This elite evening will feature a gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Beat Giger of Pebble Beach Resorts, a panel of NFL stars, unique auction items and more. The event will take place at the Salinas Sports Complex in the Exhibition Mall. Tickets prices and more details will be released soon.

The California Rodeo Association strongly supports this effort to build a stadium for the youth in our community.

NFL Hall of Famers Steve Young & Ronnie Lott to Speak at Fundraising Dinner

Monday, September 19th, 2011

Just one year after announcing plans for The Stadium at Salinas Sports Complex, Public Recreation Unlimited (PRU) is building up momentum with over $1 million dollars in donations pledged to this worthy project that will benefit youth in the Salinas Valley. Striving to raise at least $6 million more dollars to complete this state of the art stadium where the current Municipal Stadium now sits in disrepair, the organization is planning a one of a kind event on Saturday March 10, 2012. Former National Football League superstars and Forty Niners Steve Young and Ronnie Lott are confirmed to attend the event along with former Head of NFL Referees Jim Tunney who will be the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Other former NFL players have been invited, but have yet to confirm. This elite evening will feature a gourmet dinner prepared by Chef Beat Giger of Pebble Beach Resorts, a panel of NFL stars, unique auction items and more. The event will take place at the Salinas Sports Complex in the Exhibition Mall. Tickets prices and more details will be released soon. To stay up to date on ‘The Stadium’ project, visit www.PublicRecUnlimited.com where you will find the list of donors, board members, latest news, plans for the stadium and more.

Tickets for this event are $150 each and available now at 831-775-3100. The best seats will be assigned to those who secure their reservation with prompt payment.

Click here for SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES for this unique event.

First Donations for the Stadium

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

Salinas, CA-April 13, 2011-The California Rodeo Association in conjunction with Public Recreation Unlimited announced plans earlier this year to remodel Salinas Municipal Stadium. The remodel will transform the old minor league baseball stadium into a 5,000 seat soccer and football facility. The $5 million dollar project will be built completely with private funding. Depending on the success of fundraising, the project is scheduled to begin construction in the summer of 2012. On Thursday April 7th, Public Recreation Unlimited was presented with its first donation check in the amount of $2,500 from Monsanto in honor of Benny Jefferson, the current 1st Vice President of the California Rodeo. The Rodeo Association is also pleased to contribute $250,000 toward the completion of the project. Roger LaFountain, General Manager of the Salinas Sports Complex, said “We are very excited to receive our first funding for the stadium project that has been in the works for many years. The stadium, when completed, will provide the community with a first-class facility that is desperately needed. It will allow organizations to expand their programs and serve more children.”

 About The Stadium:

 The stadium will feature a bowl design with the playing surface 11 feet below grandstand level. 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. Behind the north end zone area will be a grass area that can seat another 972 fans.

 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 of Salinas and provide opportunities to engage youth in positive activities. Potential uses for this facility include: professional soccer, high school all-star games for both football and soccer, Junior College all star games, Junior College bowl games, football and soccer clinics. 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.