Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Valencia High School athletic complex will open for fall sports

Kenn Rodriguez News-Bulletin Staff Writer; krodriguez@news-bulletin.com

Tomé The groundbreaking for the new athletic complex at Valencia High School on the east side of Los Lunas on March 19 felt more like a pep rally than a simple groundbreaking.

With the school's marching band playing the school song in the background, members of the Los Lunas School Board, Superintendent Walt Gibson and even a couple of VHS students each threw out a shovelful of dirt to mark the occasion.

"It's a great feeling," said Valencia High principal Mario Zuniga after turning in his hardhat and shovel. "Last fall, we opened a new gym. Eighteen months ago, we had a groundbreaking for that. Once we got the gym open, it brought a whole new life to campus. Same thing will happen with this field.

"Once (the athletic complex) is open, it brings a new atmosphere and brings in the community," he said. "Once again we want to make sure and have the entire community involved in this."

The first phase of the athletic complex will include football, baseball and softball fields, all with grass fields.

The football field will also have an all-weather track around it, and all three will be equipped with bleachers by the time VHS athletes take to the fields in September. Paved parking lots will also be put in place by the fall.

The second phase will include building an athletic plaza anchored by a field house-concessions stand that will also include bathrooms as well as locker rooms for all the teams.

VHS Athletic Coordinator and head football coach Ed Johnson said the event was inspiring.

"This is really exciting for our kids and our community - it's one of those special moments," he said. "I look forward to building a great program here, both on the field and off the field."

Johnson said the Jaguar football team will take to the VHS football field in the third game of the season.

"Three weeks after the season starts, we'll start the season here," he said. "We start the season at Los Lunas High - I wish we could play here. But my concern is making sure everything is done."

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