Santa Rosa Academy dedicates athletic field improvements

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Officials, players and fans of Santa Rosa Academy celebrated an addition to the school’s football complex Friday.

Prior to a scrimmage between the blue and white teams on the campus field, a brief ceremony was held to recognize additions to the facility. Grandstands running the length of the home side of the field will provide ample space for fans to watch the games. The school had previously added lights and a scoreboard to make the facility suitable for hosting home games.

“This was a vision from long, long ago,” said Robert Hennings, superintendent of Santa Rosa Academy. “When the field first got put in, this is what they foresaw in the distant future. Well, that distant future has arrived.”

Hennings introduced facilities manager Peter Arballo, who was responsible for much of the planning that went into the project. Also in attendance, along with SRA board members, were mayors Dale Welty of Canyon Lake and Bill Zimmerman of Menifee. Past board member and current City Council candidate Dan Temple, who served many years during the construction of SRA, also attended, in addition to City Council member and SRA teacher Ricky Estrada.

“It seems like every year, something new happens here,” Zimmerman said. “It’s just wonderful to see the growth and the vision that started, I think, more than 10 years ago. I want to say to all these awesome football players, be safe and have fun, I know you’ve been practicing very hard and I can’t wait to see you get started here in this brand new facility.”

Prior to the field dedication, a brief ceremony was held to celebrate the opening of several pickleball courts on the campus. Pickleball is a fast-growing sport that can be played on tennis courts, but the customized, smaller courts at Santa Rosa Academy give players a special opportunity to enjoy the sport.

Santa Rosa student Logan Russell was on hand for the ceremony and took part in a brief demonstration of the sport. He is a nationally ranked pickleball player.

Also in attendance was a local Menifee artist, Fernando Valdez, who painted several murals around campus. He has done some famous mural artwork regionally, including for the LA Dodgers.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Hennings addresses the crowd as facilities manager Peter Arballo stands by.

The new grandstands will better accommodate fans at Santa Rosa Academy games.
 

 Santa Rosa Academy student Logan Russell cuts the ribbon for the opening of the new pickleball courts.