New sports stadium reaches halfway point at John Glenn High School

NORWALK – The halfway point has been reached in the construction of a new sports stadium and athletic fields for John Glenn High School.

The project is one of several major outdoor renovations taking place at campuses around the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District.

When completed, the Glenn HS project will feature a 2,500-seat synthetic turf stadium with lights, a press box, baseball fields, a ticket booth and concession stand. The makeover for the 1960s-era Eagles campus on Shoemaker Avenue will encompass about 20 acres of school property.

Funding for the Glenn project — which includes planning and development work — is being provided through Measure G, NLMUSD’s capital improvements bond passed in 2014.

“This is a modernization project that will meet a lot of our campus needs. It’s also a smart, long-term investment for our community,” said Francisco Ramirez, principal of the 1,000-student high school that features Project Lead the Way and other college and career readiness programs.

“These renovations are going to look great when done and no doubt there will be a lot of students and families who will take new interest in our school.”

Among the other big projects in progress, which are also being funded by Measure G as well as by a similar bond, Measure S, which was passed in 2002, is the outdoor renovation at Corvallis Middle School, also in Norwalk.

The Corvallis project features extensive field and landscaping improvements along with new work to upgrade parking lots, shade shelters, and pedestrian walkways.

In addition, the 750-student STEAM magnet campus on Leffingwell Road, which opened in 1962, will be getting an outdoor electronic marquee.

“The campus is looking amazing, with a new synthetic track, fitness equipment, an outdoor stage and upgrades to our basketball and volleyball courts,” said Corvallis Principal Bob Easton. “The beautiful exterior of the campus, and the improvements to the overall curb appeal, definitely contributes to a positive learning environment and creates a stronger sense of pride for our school.”

Renovations similar to Corvallis are being done at Benton Middle School in La Mirada. At Benton, built in 1952, in addition to a new concession/restroom building, an outdoor marquee and perimeter fencing, there is extensive modernization work underway on the campus athletic fields, including a new synthetic running track.

“Things are looking good so far and there have been a lot of improvements, like the nice new front landscaping and the new running track, which make a huge impact on how the school looks and how kids feel about the campus,” said Ben Webster, principal of Benton, a 530-student visual and performing arts magnet campus located along Santa Gertrudes Avenue near Imperial Highway.

At nearby La Mirada High School, work is expected to commence sometime before the end of the year on a major expansion of the campus gym, which in addition to doubling the seating capacity to about 1,400, will include new locker rooms and training facilities.

“These wonderful projects, when completed, will further boost the pride that our students, staff and alumni have in their schools,” said NLMUSD Superintendent Dr. Hasmik Danielian. “The renovations will add to the strong reputation of our campuses and further build our attractiveness as a school district that provides 21st-century learning and academic programs to help all our students be future ready.”