Last Thursday, Aug. 19, at 5 p.m. the window closed. That date ended the 35-day time frame open to challenge the Mariposa County Unified School District’s California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption filing for renovations now underway at Grizzly Stadium on the Mariposa County High School campus.

Progress on the facility has been swift, pushed by a home football season-opener on Thursday, Sept. 2.

Over 25,000 square feet of new sod has been laid. The facility is now almost completely fenced, and the new handicapped ramp and ticket house are in place.

This week, concrete stamped with “Grizzly paws” was poured around the ticket house and main entrance. A large light has been erected above the entrance stairs and handicapped ramp, and a number of other improvements have been made.

This Sunday, volunteers and members of the Mariposa County Contractors Association are landscaping the entrance in anticipation of the first high school event.

Last Saturday the Mariposa Bears youth football teams opened their season on the new field, and the comments on the emerging facility were positive.

Bears varisty head coach Dave McNally wrote, “On behalf of Mariposa Bears Youth Football I'd like to thank the stadium committee and all the volunteers for the progress made at the site. We had our first games this season there yesterday, having a secured field site was really nice. Real bleachers were great and having a full grass field is even better. Once it's complete it will be great, and something the entire community really can be proud of,” on the stadium committee’s Facebook page.

An aerial photograph of the stadium was taken by local pilot Dave Gerken and posted on the same page. It generated comments like, “Great job everyone. It’s making progress,” and, “My boy is going to get to play on the field. Thank you to everyone for your generosity.”

The stadium project, fueled by a community effort with primary funding from Pioneer Market and Pharmacy, Pizza Factory, Golden State Celluar and Sierra Telephone, has a high level of local involvement.

There are a number of ways for individuals and merchants to assist in the effort. For information, contact Dan Tucker, stadium committee chairman, at the MARIPOSA GAZETTE at (209) 966-2500.