Feb. 22--The Newport-Mesa Unified School District board on Tuesday will consider approving $15,000 in city money to study possible upgrades -- urged by parents, boosters and alumni -- to Costa Mesa High School's planned stadium.
The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on studying the feasibility of adding of up to 2,000 seats plus team rooms, which typically are private spaces for athletes and coaches apart from locker rooms, to the $8.5 million Mustangs Field project.
Earlier this month, the Costa Mesa City Council approved $25,000 toward the study. However, the district only needs $15,000 for the study, according to district spokeswoman Annette Franco. Should the study exceed that amount, the city will have the remaining $10,000 to commit to the project, according to Councilwoman Katrina Foley.
Although Mustangs Field is currently under construction, the project has space reserved for possible seating expansion and a building for more restrooms and team rooms if further upgrades are approved.
Parents, boosters, alumni and students called for these additions at a January school board meeting. Among them was Costa Mesa High senior football player Jonathan Brucales, who expressed his desire to have a facility that current and future players will be proud to call "our house."
Mustangs Field is expected to open by the fall football season.
The school board meets at 6 p.m. at district headquarters, 2985 Bear St., Costa Mesa.
