Why does Walkersville High School (WHS) need to renovate Lion’s Stadium?
Lion’s Stadium, which opened back in 1976, currently faces mounting maintenance and repair issues, in addition to the functional shortcomings inherent in an aging, outdated facility. The 32 year-old stadium remains the proud, busy home to 16 different boys’ and girls’ sports teams, the marching band, and assorted playoff games, pep rallies, and non-sporting school-wide events. In order to best serve current, and future, needs with far greater safety, comfort, and functionality, Walkersville’s athletic symbol should be restored to excellence.
How will Lion’s Stadium be renovated?
The renovation plan is to comprehensively transform the stadium into a premier, multi-use facility for both the school and the community. By making changes such as new, expanded grandstand seating, synthetic turf, and the school’s first field house, the design will greatly improve overall safety and comfort, increase year-round/all-weather usability, provide proper facilities for 16 different boys’ and girls’ teams, and offer fans an enhanced game-day experience like none before. (For more details, please visit our website at www.whsstadium.com)
How much will the Walkersville High School stadium renovation cost?
The comprehensive renovations necessary to bring the stadium up to current codes, meet ADA regulations, and build all of the detailed modernizations will cost $3.6 million.
Where is the funding coming from?
Since no funding for this project will be provided by the Frederick County Board of Education, Walkersville must raise all of the funds ourselves. That means the power to turn dreams of a new, true ‘field of glory’ into game-day reality lies within our community’s own hands.
Who is organizing the funding campaign (and who are the Athletic Boosters)?
The Walkersville High School Athletic Boosters, which is a hardworking, non-profit, all-volunteer organization formed to support all Walkersville High School athletics. All parents with students who participate in WHS athletics automatically become booster members. 100% of our fundraising efforts provide money needed for equipment, scholarships, transportation, and facilities used by our fans and our teams. Now we have a stadium to rebuild!
Why should I contribute to the renovation of Lion’s Stadium?
Revitalizing Lion’s Stadium would reward Walkersville far beyond the practical, long-lasting benefit of restoring functional excellence to a vital facility that has faded with steady decline. A better, safer, more weather-resistant venue for sports and school events can entice greater participation in school programs. Better school programs, in turn, make better schools, and better schools make better communities.
Lion’s Stadium is “our house”: Walkersville’s rallying source of hometown pride and spirit. The place where our youth can—literally—feel and hear and see the support of their community roaring in the grandstands. Revitalizing such a special place can only have a positive impact on our town.
Walkersville also would gain a renewed resource for hosting regional activities. Not only would a premier facility likely encourage greater attendance of patrons at events (boosting school revenue from ticket sales and concessions), but also far greater appeal for area organizations to hold their events here, and, in turn, greater potential for additional local revenue.
Importantly, we—sincerely—believe that participation in sports provides our youth with far more than the measurable benefits of physical exercise. Sports drive greater academic excellence for some. But the stadium is a classroom for all student-athletes, where hands-on lessons in character building get taught daily. That education about life’s values— respect, responsibility, integrity, teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership— leaves the playing field and develops better citizens. In other words, this becomes a worthy investment in our youth, in our community, and in our future.
How can I help?
Since there are no public funds available to renovate Lion’s Stadium, pledging a tax-deductible financial gift would be greatly appreciated. One pledge at a time, a clear and powerful statement of support can be sent to our youth, our school, and our town that “Lion’s Pride” means “Walkersville Pride.” There are additional ways to help too, such as attending and supporting fundraising events and activities that are scheduled throughout the year, as well as donating time and service to these events.
How can my business help?
Businesses committed to making a positive community impact have multiple ways to show their generosity, commitment, and support. Since there are no public funds available to renovate Lion’s Stadium, sponsors can stand out by helping WHS attain their goal by pledging a tax-deductible financial gift. Businesses can provide additional support by participating in fundraising events as a featured vendor or through donation of goods, services, and time.
Are all contributions tax-deductible?
Absolutely yes! The Walkersville High School Athletic Boosters is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) organization, which means that all contributions made to this worthy cause are tax-deductible.
Can I “In Memory Of” or “In Honor Of” a friend or loved one?
Yes. You can provide an enduring tribute to a friend or loved one by making a commemorative or memorial gift. When doing so, please provide the name of the person being honored and indicate that your gift is being given either "In Memory Of" or "In Honor Of." We also will need the name, address, and phone number of the person responsible for the donation so that we may discuss with that person how the tribute should be recognized.
Where can I get more information regarding the renovation project?
Please click (www.whsstadium.com) or call the WHS Athletic Boosters at (XXX).
Will the stadium be used for anything other than football?
Absolutely yes, since the stadium has both a track and a field. So in addition to football, the stadium currently plays home to track, soccer, lacrosse, cross-country, cheerleading, and the marching band. Plus, playoff competitions for each of these sports, pep rallies, graduation pictures, “Powder Puff” games, and “Battle of the Bands” competitions are among other events hosted at the stadium. A renovated facility would also entice area organizations to hold their events here.