West Ottawa High School Panthers open a brand new athletic complex
HOLLAND, Mich. — The West Ottawa High School Panthers have an exciting fall in store as they open a brand new athletic complex and sports stadium鈥攋ust in time for the season’s first home football game on September 1.
The old Panther stadium鈥攐ne of the few natural grass fields in West Michigan鈥攚as built in 1961 to support the football, track and field, and lacrosse programs. The technology was last upgraded in the 1990s, and the bathroom facilities are particularly lacking now, few and far between, having been built under old codes. Although the soccer stadium was built years after the football stadium, it, too, has suffered from many of the same issues. Furthermore, after the original high school building became a middle school, busing has been required to bring the high school athletes to the football and soccer stadiums to play their home games.
With these and numerous other matters in mind, the community came together in May 2019 and voted to approve a $98M bond proposal for West Ottawa Public Schools to address the need for a new high school athletic complex as well as a new performing arts center and a new elementary school.
A full year of design for the athletic complex began in June 2019, with all stakeholders鈥攊ncluding the coaches from each sport, the boosters, and the marching band鈥攈aving the opportunity to give their input. The final plan was approved by the board and site cleanup began in late fall of 2020.
鈥淭he new stadium includes playing surfaces and locker room spaces for soccer, football, and lacrosse,鈥� said WOHS Athletic Director Bill Kennedy, 鈥渋n addition to space for the marching band just yards away from the north high school campus. The new complex also includes locker rooms for officials and visiting teams, athletic department office space, and the WO Zone team shop, as well as enhanced concession areas and multiple bathrooms. Lastly, state-of-the-art video boards, sound and lighting systems will greatly enhance the overall fan experience.鈥�
Congratulations WOHS鈥nd Go Panthers!
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