A campaign is afoot to fund major facelift at Clinton High School’s Wilder Stadium.
Former Clinton High School Football Coach Keith Richardson is part of a committee that is working on this project. In an interview released this morning on the CHS Athletic web site and on local radio, Richardson said he’s pleased to be working on something that’s so close to him. “I was really pleased that someone would ask me to participate in this because it is something that is very close to me. Something I feel that is desperately needed today.”
In the interview, also broadcast on WLBG this morning, Richardson recalled the excitement generated by the expansion of Wilder Stadium in early 70’s and the big impact it had on the team and the community. He said the improvements targeted in this new campaign are to make big changes to the appearance and functionality of Wilder Stadium to help put Clinton High Athletics back on the map.
Planned improvements are prioritized to be accomplished based on the support received from the community. Richardson said the basic structure will not change, but the appearance and function of Wilder Stadium will be.
The first goal noted is a new Admissions building at the end-zone near the Tennis Courts, greeting the fans entering the stadium. Next would be a remodeling of the press box, the seating for the boosters, then construction of a building at the other end zone that can be used by both home and visiting teams, officials and the chain crew.
Coach Keith Richardson said plans then are to add a Jumbo-Tron at the scoreboard to enhance activities from replays to other visual events in the stadium. He said the plan also hopes to add field turf to the stadium to make it more of a multi-functional facility.
Coach Keith Richardson said the plan is to accomplish the improvements with donated money so it will not be paid by tax dollars. He said he hopes folks will keep welcoming him as he works to raise the funds needed. “I hope all this goes the way we want it to go. I don’t want people in the community, when they see me coming, to turn their back and walk away. I want them to at least give me a chance to explain what we’re doing and why we think it’s important.”
The campaign for Wilder Stadium is being kicked off with informational pamphlets being passed out tonight at the 1st home game of the season at Wilder Stadium.