El Rancho Unveils Don Memorial Stadium and Athletic Complex
Last month, School District Officials were joined by City and Elected Officials, and residents, including alumni going back to the 1960s, to celebrate the grand opening of Don Memorial Stadium and the new athletic facilities at El Rancho High School.
The ceremony marked the end of a nearly two-year construction project but started a new era in El Rancho High School sports.
Since El Rancho High School opened in 1952, it has been well known for its athletic programs. While the athletic facilities have served their purpose for well over five decades, it was time for an overhaul, and to replace the outdated facilities. The Board of Education approved the El Rancho High School Sports Fields/Stadium and Pool Replacement Project in 2022.
The Project consisted of replacing and renovating the existing stadium and sports fields. The improvements include a new football stadium with bleachers that can seat over 3,400
spectators, a synthetic track and field, a new practice field, and new basketball courts. The stadium was rededicated as Don Memorial Stadium to honor the fallen soldiers of the Vietnam War. The Memorial plaque, previously located within the stadium, was remade and placed within the new quad past the new field house building. The press box at Don Memorial Stadium was dedicated to long-time announcer Armie Briones, who has been the announcer at Don Memorial Stadium since 1963.
The baseball and softball fields are also entirely new, reconfigured, and include new dugouts and batting cages. Other project improvements included scoreboards, sports lighting, outdoor sound systems, walkways, netting, and fencing.
In addition to the stadium and fields, other amenities included in the project were new team rooms, locker rooms, restrooms, concessions, ticket booths, offices for the coaching staff, storage spaces, a weight room, and a training room.
While amenities and fields for outdoor sports were improved, the school also improved its aquatics facility. Instead of repairing the aging pool, the project called for a new facility to be built on the northeast corner of the former school parking lot. The new aquatic facility includes a CIF regulation pool, bleachers, and a digital scoreboard/LED monitor. The El Rancho High School Sports Fields/Stadium and Pool Replacement Project was funded through the 2010 Measure EE & 2016 Measure ER G.O. Bonds.
