Push Begins for Stadium at East Valley

If boosters of Redlands East Valley High School athletics get their way, they'll never have to travel to a home football game again.

The Wildcats, who have won the Citrus Belt League championship in football three straight years, are a team without a home. At least one they can call their own.

This past season, REV students traveled to home games at Citrus Valley High School, the University of Redlands and Redlands High's Dodge Stadium.

But the boosters are looking to change that.

On Feb. 25, the group is kicking off efforts to raise money to build a complex at the school that would house the football team, soccer teams and track and field teams.

The Wildcat Gridiron Club will be hosting a at the University of Redlands' Orton Center. The $75 ticket includes dinner, live music, guest speakers and a silent auction.

"We're the only school without a stadium (in Redlands)," said Micheline Diab, the chairman organizing the event. "We just want to help it happen, and we'll have fundraisers to take care of it."

Raising funds is just part of the deal for the REV football team. It has to pay to play at the University of Redlands' Ted Runner Stadium. And using the home of its crosstown rival is a last resort, thus the long drive to Citrus Valley.

Which can also make it harder on scheduling -- something that's getting harder as the team improves. A post on the team's Facebook page earlier this month said the team will likely play four of its five nonleague games on the road next fall -- which takes away needed funds from the program.

Proposed to be built in three phases, the stadium project is estimated to cost $8.6 million, and will include bleachers, synthetic field and track, ticket booths, restrooms, concession stands on both sides, scoreboard and lighting.

To purchase tickets, donate to the cause or to see more information about the project, you can visit the booster club's project website.