PHOTO COURTESY OF HERMISTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
Hermiston High School’s Kennison Field has been named the best stadium in Oregon, and winner of the $500 prize.
Hermiston received nearly half of the 127 entries during the OregonLive.com contest. Many of the nominations wrote that Hermiston had high quality facilities and a growing community.
Kennison Field opened last August after an extensive renovation. Hermiston School District officials said the renovation project, funded entirely by grants, donations, and in-kind support, represented a landmark accomplishment for the community of Hermiston and greater Eastern Oregon region. More than $3 million in grants and nearly $1.4 million in local donations and in-kind support helped deliver a state-of-the-art athletic facility for local and regional student and community athletes.
The renovated complex features the following components:
• One of the highest quality, safest, and most durable synthetic turfs available (designed to accommodate football, soccer, and lacrosse)
• Olympic-caliber synthetic track with individual jumping and throwing stations
• Enhanced 2,100 capacity bleacher system for optimal spectator comfort, featuring a comprehensive raised ADA/wheelchair accessible seating section, over 250 contoured reserved stadium seats with backs and armrests, and an additional 250 seats with backrests
• Elevator accessible, five-story tall, seven-room press/announcers box with additional video production booth built to meet requirements to host state-level events in Hermiston
• Comprehensive three-bay concessions and Booster Spirit Booths to meet community and spectator needs
• 1,600-square-foot covered gazebo and barbeque plaza
• Improved parking, lighting, ingress/egress, and pedestrian safety for spectators and handicap patrons
