It's out with the old and in with the new for student athletes at National City's only and oldest high school. Plans are moving ahead to install a new artificial turf football field and synthetic track at Sweetwater High School.
After several years of planning and fundraising, design and construction of the project were authorized by a 4 to 0 vote of the school board at their November meeting. Sweetwater's existing grass field is in poor and unsafe condition after eight decades of heavy use.
"This puts us on a path to fulfill the sports dreams of an underserved community," said School Board President John McCann. "In addition to giving the 2,400 students of Sweetwater High the safe and quality facility they deserve, the field will provide a home for community leagues and be an asset for all residents."
The sports project will be developed and operated as a joint use facility with the City of National City. Half of the funding for the $2.2 million project is coming from corporate and community partnerships.
"The City of National City is proud to collaborate with the Sweetwater District to ensure a 1st class field and track facility to compliment the equally 1st class Sweetwater High School. Go Red Devils!" said National City Mayor Ron Morrison.
National City was the first to partner with the district, committing $200,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds to the project. The Chargers matched that with a grant from the NFL Grassroots Program in collaboration with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), a national community development nonprofit organization. Another $700,000 is pledged by the Community Sports Development Council.
In addition to the school's PE and athletic programs, Sweetwater High's football field is used throughout the year by the local Pop Warner football program, the National City Diablos, and a newly formed semi-professional football team, the National City Bears.
"Sweetwater High has a proud tradition of nurturing the academic and social growth of National City's young people. Champions have been born here," said Superintendent Ed Brand. "The positive impact of this field renovation project on the students and the community will be great and ongoing."
Plans call for completing the project in a year.