PRIEST RIVER, Idaho – West Bonner School District 83 is vying for a $1 million field upgrade through the T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights contest. The district’s facilities, including the track and bleachers, are in dire need of repairs.
Alex Zepeda, athletic director and head football coach at Priest River Lamanna Junior Senior High, explained the significance of the contest, which is open to communities with populations under 150,000. “It’s really awesome to see your own phone company doing something as cool as this,” he said.
The track at the facility has only five usable lanes due to damage. “Only five of our eight lanes are used,” Zepeda said, adding that fixing the track could cost between $500,000 and $800,000. Winning the contest would relieve the community from bearing this financial burden.
Zepeda also highlighted issues with the bleachers and sound system. “We have roots growing out of the bleachers, they don’t look very comfortable,” he stated.
The stadium, with some components dating back to the 1980s, is overdue for an upgrade. “We had to replace the scoreboard last year. It was there from like ’81,” Zepeda mentioned.
For Zepeda, winning would be a significant boost for the athletes and the community. “It’d be a great feeling just to be able to give them things that they deserve,” he emphasized.
To increase their chances, the school is encouraging community engagement. “We just got to talk about it with community members and bring it up any opportunity we get,” Zepeda said.
The contest, which runs through September 12, requires participants to share their story and generate social media activity. “The more you post that you know increases your chances,” Zepeda explained.
Zepeda urged the community to support their effort by sharing posts and spreading the word. “Think about the possibilities, it could be a brand new track, it could be a brand new stadium,” he concluded.
