Ground was broken May 27 on a new multi-sport complex that will be used by Huntington North High School athletics.
The new stadium will be used by the football, soccer and track and field teams; and will be located on-campus on the east end of the Huntington North Fieldhouse. The stadium will include a turf football field, nine-lane latex track, new scoreboard, updated sound system, LED lighting and one-level press box, according to a news release from the Huntington County Community School Corporation. Seating features new home bleachers that can hold 2,500 on the home side. The current bleachers will be repurposed for to sit 450 on the away side.
Renderings for Huntington North High Schoo's new stadium, which is expected to open in the Fall of 2021 (courtesy Huntington County Community School Corporation)
Two additional buildings will also be constructed for lockerrooms, restrooms and concession stands.
As part of the construction plans, a new softball field will be built near the intersection of Viking Lane and State Road 5. The softball field will include bleachers that sit 400 fans, a press box, dugouts, a batting cage, storage and fencing.
A practice football field will be added between the stadium and the softball diamond, as well.
HCCSC officials expect the new stadium to be used for band competitions, JROTC, physical education classes, postseason athletic tournaments and other community events. The new stadium project will operate with an estimated budget $7.5 million; and funding comes from a bond issue passed in 2018, the district says.
Huntington North had used Kriegbaum Field, across the street from the high school campus, since the school opened in 1969. Predecessor, Huntington High School, used the Kriegbaum Field since that stadium opened in 1929. The age of Kriegbaum Field, the lack of parking outside that stadium, and its location across a state highway precipitated a need to build a new stadium on campus, district officials say. The Huntington County Community Schools Corporation is developing plans to honor the Kriegbaum name as part of the HNHS athletic complex.
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Renderings of new Huntington North stadium, softball diamond and football practice field
(courtesy Huntington County Community School Corporation)
Plans for a new stadium date back to the fall of 2018, and HCCSC officials visited nine other high schools in Northeast Indiana for inspiration. Construction is expected to be complete in the fall of 2021.
Huntington North is one of 25 high schools that partner with Parkview Sports Medicine for athletic training, sports performance training, nutrition, athletic rehab and other sports medicine services for Viking student-athletes. Learn more at www.parkviewsportsmedicine.com.