Volume Spring2012 2014 Volume 18.220 Spring
a publication of the
WESTSIDE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
1101 South 90th Street Omaha, NE 68124 | 402.390.2183 | westside66.org
Westside's Athletic Legacy To Be Etched in Stone at Champions Plaza Outstanding athletes, coaches, state championships, Westside's athletic legacy that's what alumni, fans and players think of when they walk through the gates of Westside's stadium. And now that will all become a permanent part of the stadium. The Westside Foundation is currently engaged in a fundraising effort to update the stadium entrance at Westside High School. Champions Plaza will honor Westside state athletic championships, great sports moments, and bring expanded restrooms and a concessions stand to the facility.
"We will be putting a new front door on our stadium and everyone who walks in there will know 'this is our house'." In 2003-04, the Westside Foundation renovated the stadium but didn’t have enough money to add new restrooms or concessions. Champions Plaza will be constructed this summer with much of it slated to be built by businesses with Westside ties. “We will be putting a new front door on our stadium and everyone who walks in there will know ‘this is our house’,” stated Foundation Board President, Sue Seline. “The plaza will have two 13-foot tall walls which will honor Westside’s great teams of the past, plus leave room for future success.” The $650,000 renovation will also include doubling the current number of restrooms, tripling the size of the north concession stand, adding a family restroom and creating space for drinking fountains as well as an ADA approved picnic area. "The stadium is full of great memories. Many student athletes have given 110 percent there. With this plaza, our alumni will now have a way to remember those memories or salute a past coach or teammate by sponsoring a brick to something much bigger."
Champions Plaza will welcome fans and guests as they enter in the stadium. State Championships will be recognized, as well as more restrooms and an expanded and concessions stand.
A unique aspect to this project is that students will be involved in the build wherever possible. The Architecture 2 class presented to local professionals their designs for the best concession stand. Art classes are discussing potential murals. “It is getting harder and harder to find skilled masons, carpenters, painters, plumbers and electricians. We want to expose students to these career possibilities. Many Westside alumni have had great success in these fields and this is a way to spark interest for the next generation,” Seline said. The project will also have ramifications for Westside’s DECA students, who will benefit from increased westside alumni association
concession stand space. Construction will take place this summer and wrap up in time for the first home football game in September. For more information about Champions Plaza, contact Laura Iliff at liliff@westside66.org or visit the Foundation's website at www.wcsfoundation66.org.