South Elgin High School’s “Bring it Home” campaign, spearheaded by its booster foundation, has raised $500,000, enough to pay for the first phase of a stadium.
“Finally to make it happen was really a great feeling,” said Mike Bersani, co-chair of the stadium project committee. “We’re very excited and it means this is a reality for the school district for next fall.”
The first phase of the project calls for adding home bleachers with seating for 1,500 fans on a field that is currently used for practices. It also includes adding a scoreboard, laying down new sod and creating a brick paver pathway from the parking lot to the field.
In total, the three phases of the project are estimated to cost $3.1 million. The South Elgin High School Booster Foundation plans to fund it entirely through donations and sponsorships.
Early in the fundraising campaign, it received a $250,000 contribution from the Wisdom Family Foundation and Wisdom Adhesives of Elgin. A recent $200,000 donation by another local business on top of other donations helped put it over the top. Bersani said he is not yet able to disclose the name of the donor.
With the Phase 1 funding secured, the next step will be for the school district to request bids on the bleachers. Bersani said he hopes to see construction begin in June 2011 and wrap up by the time school sports begin in August.
The football team currently shares Streamwood High School’s stadium with that school and Bartlett High School, which school officials said has caused issues with scheduling and transportation.
The booster foundation has stressed that while football will be played at the new stadium, the facility also will be used for activities like Relay for Life, Special Olympics, summer camps and other community and school district events.
“It’s at South Elgin High School and obviously it’s going to benefit the school directly, but it’s also going to benefit the whole district,” Bersani said. “We’ve always believed it’s a facility others can use.”
Phase 2 of the project calls for installing synthetic turf, lighting and a press box and enlarging the plaza. Phase 3 includes installing visitors bleachers and a permanent concession building and additional work on the plaza.
The booster foundation will continue to raise money for those pieces of the project. Students are in the midst of a competition to see how much they can raise and the foundation will be selling engraved bricks for the pathway. Businesses also will have advertising opportunities such as on the scoreboard as well as naming opportunities.
To make a donation, visit www.sehsboosters.org/stadium/. Those interested in advertising and sponsorship opportunities can reach Bersani at (630) 258-3298.
