4 hours Ago By Kenny Cress [email protected]
The running track at Cabrillo High School is a cinder one that dates back to 1964, said former Cabrillo athletics director Bob Lawrence. The football field "is unusable because of gophers," said Lawrence. Lawrence said Cabrillo is seeking funds to upgrade the school's athletics facilities.
"We hope for things such as a bleachers upgrade in the future, but our most immediate priority is a new track and football field," said Lawrence. "Our school band practices in a school parking lot. They can't practice anywhere that simulates a football field.
" Lawrence said fundraising toward an upgrade of the school's facilities has begun, but it is an uphill project. "We need around $4 million," said Lawrence. "We've raised about $110,000, from small, private donors.
The private donors have been very supportive." Lawrence said bond Measure M, which will be on the ballot in November, must pass or, "We'll have to put aside," the fund raising project toward a Cabrillo sports facilities upgrade. "This district hasn't passed a school bond in 20 years," said Lawrence.
"The last one came close. Surrounding districts have all passed school bonds during that time." For now, Lawrence said, the Cabrillo football, soccer and track and field teams must use the facility at Huyck Stadium in Lompoc, which Cabrillo shares with Lompoc High School, for their home events.
Lompoc and Cabrillo aquatics teams host water polo games and swim meets at the Lompoc Aquatics Center which is next to Lompoc High School. The Cabrillo football and soccer teams hold workouts on fields located near the unusable football field. Lawrence said Cabrillo students have done the fund-raising toward sports facilities upgrades for their school thus far and, "They've done a wonderful job.
They're so enthusiastic." Should Measure M pass, Lawrence said, "We'll need funding from some big donors," to make a makeover of the Cabrillo running track and football field happen. Lawrence said the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and Vandenberg Space Force Base have seemed supportive of the Cabrillo fundraising project though both are seeing if other donors will contribute before they make a commitment.
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