PARK TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Sept. 1, 2022) – West Ottawa High has joined the football stadium party along the Lakeshore.
The Panthers open their new facility this evening by hosting Portage Northern. The 65 hundred-seat structure on the main campus off of Butternut Drive replaces Panther Stadium at the site of the former high school – now Harbor Lights Middle School – which had served to host Panther football and track since the programs began in 1960. It also becomes the largest stadium in the area, with its seating capacity surpassing the 53 hundred of Ray & Sue Smith Stadium.
The over $20 million stadium was part of the $97.9 million-dollar bond proposal that voters in the district passed in May of 2019. Superintendent Tim Bearden talked about that during the ceremonial ground breaking of the facility just over two years later.
The other seven football-playing schools along the Lakeshore have either built new stadiums or renovated their current facilities over the past two decades.
A capacity crowd is expected for tonight’s game, with broadcast coverage from Greg Chandler at 6:40 PM on 99 7/1450 WHTC.
Comments