Mesa Verde High School cuts ribbon on signature project

Oct. 13 was a monumental day in Mesa Verde High School’s history, as students, staff and community members gathered to cut the ribbon to Mesa Verde’s football stadium and athletics complex.

“This athletic stadium stands as a testament to what community can achieve when united by a common vision. This moment has been marked by determination, sacrifice, and an enduring belief that our students deserve the very best,” said Mesa Verde Principal, Jennifer Petersen during the ceremony’s opening remarks. 

This signature project has been a cornerstone of excitement for Mesa Verde students and staff since it broke ground in August 2022. A new stadium has been on the school’s wishlist since its opening in the late 1970s. Previously home to a dirt track and simple grass fields, Mesa Verde now hosts a state-of-the-art athletics complex where students can play, practice and compete with a heightened sense of school pride. 

“I believe that this stadium is really for all of the alumni and all the people that have played here. The dream is finally reality,” said San Juan Unified Athletics Director, Ron Barney, who formerly coached at Mesa Verde. 

The crowning jewel of this project is the brand new football stadium, featuring Mesa-green bleachers, a press box, stadium lighting, a concession building with restrooms, a ticket booth and turf field surrounded by a marked running track with bright-orange accents.

Much-needed renovations to existing facilities were also completed during this project. Locker rooms were repainted and received new LED ceiling lights. Tennis courts were also refurbished to playing standards, and the gym-adjacent parking lot has been upgraded in time for future game-day tailgates. 

Mesa Verde’s athletics complex now stands as a place where students, staff, alum and Citrus Heights community members can gather and watch the school's athletic teams compete in sporting events such as football, soccer, track and tennis games. 

Watch the video below for a ribbon-cutting recap. Visit the San Juan Unified Facebook page to view the ribbon-cutting photo album.