Athletic facilities projects hinge on private donations

The 1,200 students involved in one or more of the 27 sports offered at Fallbrook High School are making the best of using the athletic facilities that have, for the most part, been unimproved for 35 years. Improvement of the facilities is long overdue, but challenges still remain to achieve the goal of renovation.

Administrators say the $5,328,125 project to improve the athletic facilities hinge on the district’s ability to secure 27 percent of the project funds ($1,428,125) from private donations within the community or additional private industry grants. The remainder of the project money has been secured through grants, developer fees, deferred maintenance funds, state school building funds and capital reserves.

“The problem we are up against is that if we don’t make a significant dent in the $1.4 million soon, we are at risk of losing some of the grant money that we are already in line for,” said FHS Athletic Director Heather Schulte. “If we don’t show enough progress in obtaining our portion, we will lose our position at the top of the list.”

The project involves an across-the-board athletic facilities upgrade including new artificial turf, improved track, new energy-saving lighting, size adjustment and curbing for the football stadium to accommodate regulation soccer matches; refurbishment of the old gym (The Barn) that will include a new roof, energy-efficient lighting, new bleachers and refinishing of the floor; a new 52-meter pool, community restrooms, and improved pool area bleachers; and new lighting for the athletic field at Ivy High School and Fallbrook High School’s lower athletic field (adjacent to Mission Road).

“The last upgrades we had were the addition of the new gym and new boys locker room (five years ago) and the varsity softball field (eight years ago),” Schulte said.

To date, only $25,000 has been collected toward the $1.4 million community contribution portion, and the clock is ticking, Schulte says.

“We have been submitting grant applications to as many private corporations as possible,” she explained. “We have submitted for a grant from the Chargers organization and others.” The various booster clubs are putting effort into the drive. Football Boosters, swimming, field hockey, soccer and the Associated Student Body are trying to help.

“We would really appreciate any donations from members of the community,” Schulte said. Donations are made to and kept secure in the FUHSD Education Foundation Athletic Fund (a 501c(3) non-profit organization for your tax benefit), not in the district’s general fund.

While individuals, families or businesses are welcome to donate any amount to the project, special donation levels have been established as well — Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond and ‘Name the Stadium.’

Each of the special donation levels can be achieved by a lump sum donation or by a three-year pledge.

Schulte reported that a person or business making a donation of six figures or more would “have the opportunity to name the football stadium, the pool, or the gymnasium!”

Questions may be directed to (760) 723-6300, ext. 3670. Contributions can be mailed to: FUHSD Education Foundation Athletic Fund, PO Box 1737, Fallbrook, CA 92088.