GILROY—The $2 million renovation project at Gilroy High School’s Garcia-Elder Sports Complex, which was delayed earlier this summer, remains on track for a Sept. 25 completion date.
Though the Mustangs’ football and field hockey teams won’t have a true home game until late September, Gilroy athletic director Julie Berggren said it will be worth the wait.
“It feels good to finally get this. You know when we got the new gym floor, there was a big excitement about having a new surface. Even though it wasn’t a new facility, it was a brand new surface to play on. I think the same thing is going to happen with the new turf,” she said.
Crews are currently working on the surface beneath the turf, compacting it and rerouting the irrigation system. The project was originally scheduled for completion by the Sept. 4 football season opener against Live Oak, but was delayed at the state level. Because of this, the football games against Live Oak and Sobrato on Sept. 4 and Sept. 11, respectively, as well as field hockey’s two home contests against Monterey, Sept. 15, and North Salinas, Sept. 21, have been relocated.
“All of our games…will be played at our other home field: Christopher High School,” Berggren said.
The Gavilan football team, which normally plays its games at Gilroy High, will also play its first two home games at Christopher. The Rams will take on Mendocino College at 5 p.m. Sept. 12 and Reedley College at 5 p.m. Sept. 26.
Crews are also working to resurface the track to give the “squishy” and bouncy feel needed for track and field competition. Once completed, it will be striped to Olympic specifications.
“It’s going to look a little different, it’s going to be a little more customized to Gilroy High School,” Berggren said. “It’s going to be fun. Everyone cannot wait to come back.”
