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The Legacy Project is a collaborative capital improvement project that will have a lasting impact on our Warrior student-athletes and the Lebanon community.
It is a fundraising initiative to help secure the necessary private support to fund future phases of work, which may include:
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Upgrades and additions at James VanDeGrift Stadium to possibly include: new restrooms, new locker rooms, new concessions, visitor bleacher upgrades.
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In addition, ball diamond transformations at the junior high and high school campuses are planned, to ensure teams have access to four adequate fields with appropriate ancillary resources for freshman, JV and varsity teams.
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Additional upgrades planned at the high school campus include locker room space, a band tower, a press box, restrooms, adequate storage, additional usable grass space for practice areas, and more.
Investing in our future
We are proud to announce that, in advance of the 2024 school year, a turf surface will be added to the Lebanon High School campus (current youth football stadium) and a new home grandstand will be erected at VanDeGrift Stadium on Miller Road. This initial phase was made possible thanks to two major gifts and the support of the Board of Education.
A comprehensive master plan for our Warrior outdoor athletic and extracurricular spaces has been created. We have state-of-the-art indoor facilities and we have long recognized the need to improve our outdoor spaces.
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The bleachers at James VanDeGrift Stadium (located at 160 Miller Road) are nearing the end of their useful life and need to be updated. The supporting structure for the bleachers is original to the stadium. It has been maintained, but is aging. The bleachers need to be updated to include handicap accessible ramps and seating and additional handrails.
Phase One:
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Home bleacher upgrades and a new press box at James VanDeGrift Stadium.
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Field upgrades and turf installation at Lebanon High School for soccer and lacrosse practice and competition.
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Excess dirt from the turf installation at the high school will be used to create safe and level practice spaces.
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Phase One is paid for and ready to begin. Bidding for the bleacher and press box work at James VanDeGrift Stadium will begin in spring of 2023; construction will begin spring of 2024 with the goal of being open in the fall of 2024. Work to install the turf field at Lebanon High School will begin in October 2023 with a spring 2024 opening date for the lacrosse season.
The district believes it has an obligation to maintain and ensure safe and up to date facilities as a vital part of doing good business as a school district, and it believes that all district facilities must be safe and inclusive to everyone in our community.
The bleachers at VanDeGrift Stadium are nearing the end of their useful life and need replacement, the cost of which is about $1.6 million. Phase One of The Legacy Project will replace the home side bleachers that seat 2,250 people. The funding for the first phase of the bleacher replacement is coming from revenues gained by a 20-year renewal extension on a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement with Miami Valley Gaming. This is money the district is not currently collecting. The general fund will initially fund the work but as those revenues from Miami Valley Gaming are received annually, the general fund will be repaid. The district expects to receive about $950,000 per year from the TIF.
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In addition to district funding, The Warren County Soccer Association donated $240,000 and the Lebanon Athletic Boosters has committed an initial cash donation, plus annual pledges promised over the next 10 years.
A home field for every sport
Lebanon High School Campus
Miller Road Campus
Many teams currently share one field. When completed, The Legacy Project will provide a home field for every sport. The addition of the turf field at the high school will increase practice and competition space. The turf field at James VanDeGrift Stadium will remain the home for Warrior football and track & field and Lebanon High School will become the new home for Warrior soccer and lacrosse.
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The first phase of The Legacy Project addresses two immediate concerns — stadium bleachers and a second turf field — without needing to ask taxpayers for more money and without impacting general fund operating budgets.
Legacy Project Updates
Phase One: COMPLETE!
September 5, 2024
The Legacy Project launched last spring and created a clear vision for the future of Lebanon Athletics and a plan to enhance and grow Lebanon's outdoor facilities. Our athletic facilities not only provide a place for our student athletes to achieve the greatest athletic potential, but they represent the values and pride we have in our community. The first home football game of the 2024 season on August 23 marked the completion of Phase One of the project!
Updates at VanDeGrift Stadium
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The new home bleachers at VanDeGrift Stadium now seat 3,085 fans. Plus, the home bleachers were updated to include handicap accessible ramps, seating, and handrails. A new, larger, pressbox was installed, too.
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The vision for the stadium project began in 2007 when a group of local citizens formed a campaign named Onward Lebanon to raise funds for the original turf playing surface and dreams of new grandstands. At the August 23 home game, three members representing that campaign were present and honored for their vision and continued efforts over the past 17 years: former Superintendent Herb Gardner, Former Lebanon Coach and employee Jim VanDeGrift, and Spence Cropper. The Board of Education members who moved this project forward and provided support were also recognized August 23: current Board of Education Members Mike Lane, Roy MacCutcheon, Kim Cope, Jennifer Daulton, Mike Gliatti, and former board member Esther Larson.
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In addition, several local businesses and contractors provided in-kind donations to get the project over the goal line and they were recognized at the August game, including: Todd Carter of Lebanon Electric Supply for providing donations to the upgraded electric systems and Mike Gliatti of Express Delivery Solutions for providing shipping and craning donations that allowed the district to remove the previous pressbox for future use. Lebanon High School alumni and football player, Justin Perry, was recognized for his countless hours of labor and leadership through the process to improve the electrical infrastructure.
Updates at Lebanon High School
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Field and light upgrades and turf installation was completed at Lebanon HIgh School for soccer and lacrosse practice and competition.
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The excess dirt from the turf installation at the high school was used to create safe and level practice spaces.
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A Home Field for Every Sport
Now that Phase One is completed, each team has a home field. The addition of the turf field at the high school will increase practice and competition space. The turf field at James VanDeGrift Stadium will remain the home for Warrior football and track & field and Lebanon High School is the new home for Warrior soccer and lacrosse.
Future Phases Depend Upon Private Support
Funding for Phase One projects came from donations and from revenues gained by a 20-year renewal extension on a tax increment financing agreement with Miami Valley Gaming. The Legacy Project is not tied to a levy. Phase One was completed without needing to ask taxpayers for funding and without impacting the district’s general fund operating budgets. The next phases of the Legacy Project are dependent upon private donations. Future plans are exciting, and include more updates to James VanDeGrift Stadium, including new locker rooms, new visitor bleachers, an entry plaza, new concessions, and new restrooms. Further updates at Lebanon High School, also dependent upon private support, include a new field house, a permanent marching band tower, and improved grass practice fields.
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Learn more and get involved!
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CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
Major Gifts & Naming Rights: Isaac Seevers, Keith Pantling, Lee Ann Slaughterbeck
Business Involvement: Roy MacCutcheon, Scott Butler, Mike Gliatti, Todd Carter
Alumni Relations: Coni Duning, Jim Vandegrift, Karol Aylor, Tom Russell, Pam Russell, Jim Norris
Events & initiatives: Bethanie Lamb, Amy Roddy,
Randi Hammiel, Courtney Wilson, Liza Johnson, Jennifer Smith, Laura Luoma, Christy Smith
Marketing: Andy Klein, Kristen Klein, Wendy Planicka
Youth Sports Engagement: Theresa Meyer, Landon Martin
CAMPAIGN CAPTAINS
Connecting our past to build our future through our finest local ambassadors
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Judy Conrad
Spencer Cropper
Chris Johnson
Shawn Lamb
Mike Lane
Esther Larson
Scott Norris
Steve Poitinger
Jim VanDeGrift
Questions?
Please fill out the form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
The Legacy Project is not tied to an operating levy or bond issue and is dependent on private support, sponsors, and donations.