Project is expected to be complete prior to fall sports season
VANCOUVER — This small school is thinking big.
A new stadium is in the final stages of completion at King’s Way Christian, with the plan to be open in time for the fall sports schedule.
Beyond athletics, the school is open to hosting other events at the facility, which will boast 930 seats — most under cover of a roof.
“Don’t get left in the rain” states one of the posters that promotes some of the fund-raising costs for the stadium.
King’s Way Christian opts up to compete in Class 1A of Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, but it has Class B enrollment numbers. The stadium might appear to be too big today, but not tomorrow.
“We’re not just waiting for it. We’re planning for growth,” said Dr. Jason Tindol, the superintendent. “We know this school is a need in this community.”
The field, which is behind the campus buildings, came first. It opened in 2012 and it was designed with a stadium in mind. The stadium is expected to be completed by mid August in time for girls soccer and football games in September.
“This has been a dream. We are just starting to see all of this come together,” said Randy Graves, director of development at KWC.
“We’re going to grow,” Graves said. “We are committed to excellence in academics, and we are committed to excellence in athletics. This is a step is solidifying that King’s Way in a real school. It’s a real deal.”
The project, Graves said, came in at around $750,000. Fundraising began more than two years ago.
One part of the fundraising will stand out when the stadium is complete. There will be 137 blue chairs. Those are being sold for $1,000.
“Buy your seat and dedicate it to anybody, and it’s your seat for the next two years,” Graves said.
That includes admission to any event.
Graves said the school went with Southern Bleacher for the stadium build.
“I really like the design they had at Hockinson,” Graves said, referring to the Class 2A power Hawks.
Plus, Southern Bleacher is based in Texas.
“They know what they’re doing in football,” Graves said.
The bleachers that were previously on the home sideline have been moved to the visitor’s sideline. Eventually, the school wants to build a concessions/locker/storage facility building, too.
