Eureka City Schools Break Ground at Grant Elementary, Advance Stadium Renovations

Eureka City Schools announced March 4 that renovations at Albee Stadium and Bud Cloney Field are moving forward while the district has broken ground on a classroom expansion and access improvements at Grant Elementary. The district’s press release lists an approved construction bid of $26,283,330 for the Albee/Bud Cloney work and a $6,187,005 construction bid for Grant Elementary.

Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Paul Ziegler has identified a failing storm drain that runs under Del Norte Street to Bud Cloney Field as the primary safety trigger for the Albee project. KRCR quoted Ziegler saying, “We are in the process of reconstructing and repairing the failing storm drain system that's in Albee Stadium actually runs under Del Norte Street over to the Cloney Field there to the north, so that is the first aspect of the project is to take care of that maintenance.” Media reports and the district environmental document list sinkholes and pooling as ongoing hazards that the district intends to remediate.

The scope at Eureka High School includes storm drain reconstruction, replacement of track and field surfaces with new all-weather turf, installation of a new fieldhouse, construction of public restrooms and concession facilities, team rooms, and bleacher improvements with ADA-compliant access options. The Finalsite/WRA environmental document specifies additional paved pedestrian pathways and drive aisles to connect parking, spectator seating and athletic facilities, and notes one of two potential ADA-compliant ramp options between the EHS main campus and Albee Stadium.

Funding figures in the district materials and local coverage do not align neatly. The District press release cites Measure T funding of $18,000,000 plus state financial hardship aid of $14,705,246 for the Albee/Bud Cloney project. KRCR also referenced roughly $14.7 million in state aid. Those amounts exceed the listed construction bid of $26,283,330; the press release does not reconcile that arithmetic. Redwoodnews reported a separate figure, stating “The $24.5 million for the projects comes from Measures S and T,” creating a second discrepancy in public accounts.

Timeline details remain mixed. KRCR reported the work “began on May 20” without specifying a year, and noted that graduation and promotion ceremonies were held at Albee Stadium in June 2024 followed by a closure of the facility until renovations are completed. Social media posts from the district and other outlets list an expected completion in 2026 for the Albee/Bud Cloney renovations, while the district press release described the high school improvements as “nearing completion.”

Grant Elementary’s classroom expansion and access work is funded in part by a $6,559,215 California Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, and Full-Day Kindergarten Facilities Grant and a $2,146,652 state Financial Hardship grant, according to the district press release. Grant Principal Rachel Brakeman said, “We are excited to begin this expansion project for our learning community. The additional classroom space, an improved drop-off area, and additional parking spaces will strengthen both instruction and daily school experience for our learners and families.”

Finalsite notes the Albee site is district property within the City of Eureka and is visible from Del Norte Street. The environmental document records that Albee Stadium was built in 1925, while some community captions show 1927. Redwoodnews added that when athletic areas reopen the district will continue public access “via keys,” and highlighted the Jay Willard Gym opening last year as a recent campus improvement with strong community response.

Paul Ziegler framed the work as both urgent and part of long-term stewardship, telling the district, “Eureka City Schools remains committed to maintaining safe and supportive environments that promote learner engagement and well-being. These improvements reflect the District’s continued focus on responsible facilities planning and stewardship of community resources.” District financial reconciliation and precise completion phasing remain open items in public accounts as the projects proceed toward the district’s 2026 target.