La Sierra High School in Riverside will finally have its own stadium after decades of playing elsewhere. Since the school opened in 1969, the football team has had to play home games at Norte Vista High School. Now, excitement is building as the La Sierra Eagles anticipate their new home field.
“Within the next two to three years, it’s going to be a great place to be,” said La Sierra’s assistant principal, Strawn Holmes, on June 25.
Construction Plans and Funding
During a Tuesday ceremony, Alvord Unified School District Superintendent Allan Mucerino called the stadium “a dream come true.” School board members and project managers announced the new venue, which will begin construction next summer. Until then, all three Alvord high schools will continue playing at Norte Vista’s K.R. Zack Earp District Stadium.
Construction of the La Sierra stadium is expected to take about a year, with completion slated for summer 2026, according to Alvord’s Director of Facilities Ryan Carter. The $20 million project will be funded by Measure J, a $249 million school bond approved by voters in November 2022.
Stadium Design and Features
The new stadium will replace the current grass field used for practice. The project includes new bleachers, lights, concessions, team rooms, restrooms, a parking lot reconstruction, and the relocation of tennis courts. The design, inspired by the school’s eagle mascot, will evoke the feel of an eagle ready to take flight, explained Daniel Flores, project architect for Huckabee.
“We took some inspiration from the mascot, so we created a building that has a feel of flight similar to an eagle getting ready to take off,” said Flores.
Huckabee’s principal, Jenny Harrison, noted that the stadium will feature separate entrances for home and visiting teams, resulting in three distinct structures.
Community Impact and Future Use
The prospect of playing on their own field for the first time has players and coaches, like Head Football Coach Shawn Moore, eager for the future. “The players are motivated to win because they want to change the narrative of La Sierra. Adding the stadium is the icing on the cake,” Moore said.
Beyond football, the stadium will be used for community events and band programs. Holmes believes the new stadium will bring pride and recognition to La Sierra, potentially attracting more families to enroll their children.
Environmental studies are currently underway to address potential impacts on the school and surrounding neighborhoods, such as increased traffic and construction noise.
While the stadium is unnamed for now, Carter expressed fulfillment in providing students with the same opportunities as those at other high schools. The Alvord school district, based in Corona, serves parts of western Riverside and a portion of northeast Corona.
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