SPOKANE, Wash. – ONE Spokane Stadium is officially ready to welcome fans for its inaugural high school games this week after Tuesday morning’s ribbon-cutting ceremony marked its grand opening.
“Let’s go ONE Spokane Stadium!” Spokane Public Facilities District Board Chair Marty Dickinson said to the crowd. “Cheers to some really epic times that we’re going to have in this space!”
The ceremony was full of pomp and circumstance: student-athletes from all five high schools who call the stadium home–Lewis and Clark, Rogers, Ferris, Shadle Park and North Central–and a who’s who of local dignitaries giving speeches before the ribbon was cut.
“This is such an incredible asset to our city, I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this project,” Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward said. “Let’s celebrate ONE Spokane!”
“This facility reflects the future of our city, the future of our community and believing that we’re better together,” said Spokane Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Adam Swinyard.
More excited than anyone were the student-athletes, who weren’t sure if the stadium would be open in time before they graduated.
“It’s a good feeling because it’s a long time in the making, and to have it actually be here now, it’s pretty cool,” said Rogers High School senior football player Aaron Kinsey.
“Being here with all the schools, all my classmates in my senior class–the fact that it’s finally done and being the first senior class to be here is really, really special,” Sofia Alfaro, a senior soccer player at Lewis and Clark High School, said.
Spokane Public Schools Director of Capital Projects Greg Forsyth said people can expect a high-tech fan experience at ONE Spokane Stadium: from wireless ticket entry, to an LED scoreboard, a booming sound system, state of the art lights and not one, but two kinds of concession stands.
“We’ll have a more traditional hot dog and popcorn stand, and then we’ll also have new concessions that are kind of grab and go, where you walk in and get what you want, then scan your credit card,” Forsyth said. “Those are to be convenient and easy.”
Forsyth says parking will be free for high school games at the stadium, and security before events will be just like the Spokane Arena, meaning fans can’t bring in outside food or drink and will be limited to bringing in a clear tote bag or a small clutch.
“Safety, security and healthy fun is what we’re after at Spokane Public Schools,” Forsyth said.
For a full list of what you need to know before heading to ONE Spokane Stadium, visit the section on the stadium’s website by clicking here.
