Lebanon City Schools today announced the official launch of The Legacy Project, a collaborative capital improvement initiative that will have a lasting impact on Lebanon City Schools' student-athletes and the Lebanon community as a whole. Phase One of The Legacy Project includes home bleacher and pressbox upgrades at Vandegrift Stadium, located at 160 Miller Road, and artificial turf installation at Lebanon High School.

The district believes it has an obligation to maintain and ensure safe and up to date facilities as a vital part of doing good business as a school district, and it believes that all district facilities must be safe and inclusive to everyone in our community. The bleachers at Vandegrift Stadium are nearing the end of their useful life and need replacement; they need to be updated to include handicap accessible ramps, seating, and walkway handrails, the cost of which is about $1.6 million. 

Bidding for the bleacher and pressbox work at Vandegrift Stadium will begin in May with a goal of completion by August 2024 to open the fall sports season in the updated facility. The fieldturf installation at Lebanon High School is on pace to break ground in October 2023, with a completion date set for March 1, 2024 allowing Lebanon Lacrosse to open their season at their new home. 

The first phase of The Legacy Project addresses two immediate priorities - updated stadium bleachers/pressbox and an additional turf field - without needing to ask taxpayers for funding and without impacting the district's general fund operating budgets. The funding for the first phase of the bleacher replacement is coming from revenues gained by a 20-year renewal extension on a tax increment financing (TIF) agreement with Miami Valley Gaming. This is money the district is not currently collecting. The general fund will initially fund the work but as those revenues from Miami Valley Gaming are received annually, the general fund will be repaid. The district expects to receive about $950,000 per year from the TIF.

The future phases of The Legacy Project, which are dependent upon private support, include:

• upgrades and additions at Vandegrift Stadium, including new restrooms, upgraded locker rooms and training rooms, new concessions areas, new visitor bleachers, and a more functional and attractive entry plaza that will showcase recognition for supporters of the project.

• upgrades and additions at the Lebanon High School soccer and lacrosse stadium, including a new fieldhouse with locker rooms and restrooms, a permanent marching band tower, additional bleachers, a new pressbox, improved grass practice fields,

• upgrades and additions to the baseball and softball diamonds, including concessions, restrooms, bleachers, press box, and parking.

To fund Phase One, Lebanon City Schools provided $2.5 million, a large portion of which will be repaid by revenues gained by the TIF with Miami Valley Gaming, which is expected to generate $950,000 per year. Other funding was received, as well: the Warren County Soccer Association donated $240,000, and the Lebanon Athletic Boosters provided a cash donation along with a commitment for annual pledges over the next 10 years.

When completed, The Legacy Project will provide every outdoor varsity sport a consistent space: 

• Lebanon High School stadium will become the home for soccer and lacrosse for practice and competition.

• Vandegrift Stadium will become the home for Warrior Football and Track and Field for practice and competition.

The Legacy Project is not tied to an operating levy or bond issue and future phases are dependent on private support, corporate sponsors, and donations.  

Further information: www.lebanonlegacyproject.com