Gonzales football head coach Eddy Ramirez once donned an orange and black football jersey during his playing days in the early 90s, scuffling and battling on what was essentially a dirt field with patches of grass.
The former Spartan standout wished farewell to the past and welcomed in the future for the newly renovated Dick Force Stadium at a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 16.
“I’m grateful that the community voted to put money and resources into our kids,” said Ramirez, who graduated from Gonzales in 1993.
Ramirez along with dozens of fellow community members, alumni, current athletes and the school marching band cheered as members of the Gonzales Unified School District Board of Education used a jumbo size pair of scissors to cut an orange ribbon to officially christen the state-of-the-art facility.
Gonzales sophomore Aaron Hernandez and fellow football teammates got a chance to test out the shiny bright green turf that has the notable “G” logo in the middle, and black end zones on each end displaying “Gonzales” and “Spartans”, respectively.
“It looks amazing. I’m excited,” Hernandez said.
The new field, along with an all-weather track, is the first of its kind in South Monterey County as Soledad, Greenfield and King City continue to use a grass field and dirt track for competitive sports.
Gonzales star track athlete senior Gio Ochoa tested out the synthetic track for the first time prior to the grand opening. He said it’s a vast contrast compared to running on a dirt track with several potholes.
“This all-weather track is going to do wonders for generations to come and I’m happy that other people will be able to experience this,” Ochoa said. “They’re gonna have what people haven’t had for years. It’s amazing just to be able to experience it all.”
Dick Force Stadium was upgraded per the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) with wheelchair seating, a revamping of structures and accessible routes entering and exiting the stadium, which sits on Del Monte Drive.
Tomobleson Inc. of Salinas broke ground June 10 to begin construction of the $8 million stadium. Funding for the makeover was provided by Measure K, which passed after 64 percent (2,210) of voters said yes during the 2020 election.
GUSD was issued up to $37 million in bonds to help assist with repairs and upgrades such as handicap accessibility. Ramirez once had doubts that the measure wouldn’t pass because of promises made in the past to help remodel or improve certain facilities.
“If it happens, I’m gonna be grateful but if it doesn’t, we’re just gonna plan for it,” he said. “Then they broke ground and I was like, ‘Oh, this might be happening after all.’”
On July 24, 2023, GUSD held a special board meeting to decide on upgrading a dilapidated Dick Force Stadium that was originally built in 1966. The board voted 4-1 to approve the restoration of the historic stadium.
“The pride of the alumni to show up here, it’s just incredible,” GUSD Superintendent Joey Adame said. “What that tells me is this community is united, they have traditions and they care about their kids. Being a part of this is just a blessing for me.”
Adame added that Gonzales’ graduation ceremony will be held at Dick Force Stadium on June 7.
