South Range unveils stadium upgrades before first home game of the season

Just in time for football season, South Range kicked off its first home game of the year with a new stadium expansion now open to the public.

On Friday, the Raiders community gathered together as the official unveiling kicked off before the game.

"Our goal when we started this project almost a year ago was to have this ready for our first home game," said Brandon Kramer, President of the South Range Athletic Boosters. "We got a state championship last year and we wanted to really emphasize getting this done and ready for our community for the first home game."

"We talk about community, we preach community in school, and we feel like South Range has that old school feel of rooting and pulling for each other," said Tom Titus, member of the South Range Athletic Boosters. "The group of people who put this together are a part of our community and wanted to bring this community closer together by doing something like this."

Former head football coach Dan Yeagley had the honor of cutting the ribbon in front of dozens of community members and supporters. Upgrades to Rominger Stadium include the new welcome plaza along with new concessions, a team shop, and restrooms. The $1.4 million dollar plan was made possible through The Rominger Family, Wayne Savings and First Commonwealth Bank. 

"We wanted to bring the community closer together by doing something like this," Titus added. "We haven't had bathrooms for years. We have a beautiful stadium and we felt like we have to close the gap of things that were left over from the first group who came in here."

"It has been a great facility," Kramer said, "It just needed a little bit to get it over the top and put us at the top of the list of nice facilities in the area. This is fantastic. I can't even begin to explain how much this means to the South Range community."

A spacious plaza has been built overlooking the field. It includes enough room for fans to socialize and congregate without having to miss any game-time action.

Two new ticket booth buildings are located at the main entrance along with a finished walkway under the grandstands.

Kramer added the renderings of the ideas don't even do the completed complex justice.  

"We just had our state title last year and we wanted to start this season on the right note," Titus said. 

The South Range Athletic Boosters are confident that this development will not only enhance the athletic experience but also bring the community closer together, fostering unforgettable memories for all.

South Range fell to the Green Bulldogs 21-7.