South Elgin High to get new stadium in the fall

For the first time next fall, South Elgin High School may actually be able to celebrate homecoming at home.

The South Elgin Boosters announced Tuesday they have reached their fundraising goal for the first phase of the stadium they plan to build entirely with private donations.

After receiving a $200,000 donation from a local businessman and philanthropist last week, the boosters say they have about $550,000 enough to install bleachers, natural turf and a brick walkway between the field and the parking lot.

Leaders of the stadium effort say they are on track to finish phase one in time for fall 2011 sports and activities, though South Elgin Principal Melanie Meidel cautioned that as-yet unforeseen construction issues could push back the completion date.

“It's very exciting,” Meidel said. “In these financial times, there are creative ways of trying to move things forward.”

Indeed, those involved in the South Elgin stadium effort are hoping they can be a model for other public-private partnerships in Elgin Area School District U-46 and other school districts. The boosters have committed to financing the stadium without using any taxpayer money.

South Elgin athletes currently play home games at Millennium Field in Streamwood. Elgin and Streamwood are the only U-46 high schools that currently have their own stadiums.

The boosters on Tuesday did not release the name of the latest donor because they had not yet obtained permission to do so.

However, they said the Wisdom family's donation of $250,000 in September and the vocal support of the U-46 school board and administration persuaded others to open their wallets.

“It had a huge impact,” boosters vice president Mike Bersani said. “Their donation lent credibility to our efforts. People stood up and listened once we had a major donor.”

Now, the boosters and the architectural firm they have hired plan to work with district staff to solicit bids for the phase one work. The parent group is already approaching businesses to raise money for phase two.

The boosters are also working to secure sponsorships and naming rights. They are working with district staff to develop policies that would govern that process.