Princeton Viking Stadium Upgrades

Important changes are coming to the Jake Sweeney Automotive Stadium and Pat Mancuso Field. This $22 million project addresses critical facility needs, including track and turf replacement, safety improvements, and the addition of equitable facilities for all student-athletes. The upgrades, which have been in planning since 2023, will begin in Fall 2024 and continue through the 2025-26 school year. 

Want to learn more about the stadium project, including updates and temporary arrangements during construction? Visit this page often for complete details and stay updated on the transformation of our athletic facilities.

The community is invited to a memorable event at Jake Sweeney Automotive Stadium on Friday, December 20, 2024, from 5-7 PM. This special evening will celebrate the stadium's rich history and mark the beginning of winter break with a community-wide celebration. The Pat Mancuso Field will be closed to the public starting December 21, 2024, for an upgrade project at the stadium, focusing on safety, accessibility, and facility improvements for students and the community. 

"This event is more than a farewell to the turf, track, and outdated field house—it’s a celebration of our community's shared memories of Pat Mancuso Field and our future potential," said Joe Roberts, Princeton’s athletic director. "We're inviting everyone to walk the track one last time, share stories, take photos on the football field, and look forward to the exciting developments ahead."

Event Highlights

• Luminary Walk: Participants can stroll the track illuminated by luminaries for memorable and nostalgic atmosphere

• Stadium Tour: This public opportunity allows visitors to tour the old fieldhouse, restrooms, and boys locker room before upcoming renovations; the new fieldhouse will be underneath the existing bleachers, which will remain in their current location. 

• Community Pep Rally: Recognition of all Princeton sports and special photograph opportunities with our Greater Miami Conference Champions, Princeton Legacies, the Viking Mascot, and alumni groups

• Culinary Options: Food trucks and concession stands, including funnel cake and hot chocolate will be for sale to benefit the Princeton Athletic Boosters

• Musical Backdrop: Winter Concert and Pride of Princeton Marching Band music highlights displayed on the stadium's video scoreboard

Event Details

• Date: Friday, December 20, 2024

• Time: 5-7 PM; Official photographs from 6:30-6:45 PM

• Location: Jake Sweeney Automotive Stadium, Chester Road, Sharonville

The community is encouraged to attend this unique celebration of past achievements and future possibilities. The event is being sponsored by the Princeton Athletic Boosters and Princeton Business and Community Partners. 

Renovation Project Information

"Safety is always a top priority,” explains Athletic Director Joe Roberts. “The athletic stadium project is designed to create a more secure, inclusive, and healthier field and facility for our students and community. We’re making upgrades to ensure the well-being of our students and visitors. We’re installing separate entrances for visitors, improving outdoor lighting, and enhancing WiFi access across all facilities. Additionally, we'll address the safety concerns around where cars and student buses will park, making it safer for our students and community to enter and exit the fields."

Key Project Highlights:

• Construction Timeline: Fields will be closed during Spring 2025 and the 2025-26 school year

• Total Project Cost: $22 million, funded through the district's operating budget. The debt payment for the project is approximately $1.2 annually until Fiscal Year 2042, when it increases slightly until it is completely paid off.

Safety and Accessibility Improvements:

• Separate visitor entrances to enhance traffic flow and security

• Increased handicap-accessible parking

• Redesigned parking and vehicle flow for safer entry and exit

• Added sidewalks to improve pedestrian safety

• New dedicated girls' locker room to provide equal facilities

• The bleachers, updated in 2018, will remain and meet ADA compliance standards 

Facility Upgrades:

• Replacement of 20-year-old turf base layer and track

• New field house with meeting spaces, locker rooms, and restrooms

• Upgraded concession stands and plumbing to meet current health codes

• Enhanced outdoor lighting and WiFi access

"These critical upgrades address long-standing infrastructure needs while prioritizing student safety and community resources," said G. Elgin Card. “These are targeted improvements designed to serve our current needs within a fiscally responsible framework.”

Home sporting events will be hosted at a neighboring school's stadium during renovations.

For more information, contact Princeton City Schools Communications Department at 513.864.1093, or visit the project’s website at https://www.princetonschools.net/page/jake-sweeney-stadium-pat-mancuso-field

September 2024

Princeton City Schools Stadium Upgrades Facts:

• The stadium upgrades are needed now and are unrelated to the November 5th Levy Request.

• The upgrades were proposed and planned since 2023 and are not tied to the upcoming levy. The track, turf, and lighting systems on the Pat Mancuso Field are scheduled for maintenance or replacement in 2025 as part of their regular operational cycle.

• These improvements do not require a Bond Issue. They are improvements to the existing structure.

• The bleachers are not being replaced. Some seating will be temporarily removed to make room for the field house and press box area, and then it will be returned to its original location.

• The original $65 million plan was scaled back to a more fiscally responsible first phase focused on the most critical improvements. Architecture renderings that show the original concept have been circulating, which is not what was approved, nor is it what is happening. 

• The total plan will not exceed $22 million. 

• Construction costs are rising due to inflation in materials and labor. Further delays will only increase these costs. What we could afford to do in 2023 is not what we will be able to do in 2024, so some portions of this project still may not happen. We are committed to NOT increasing the amount spent on this project unless donated funds become available. 

• The debt payment for the project is approximately $1.2 annually until Fiscal Year 2042 when it increases slightly until it is completely paid off.

• The project will be funded through the district's general operating budget, representing about 1% of the total annual budget.

• The upgrades enhance safety, accessibility, and equity for students and the community.

Safety & Security:

• Separate visitor entrances will be added to improve traffic flow and security. 

• Separate entrances/exits are important if stadium evacuation is needed.

• A dedicated girls' locker room will be added to provide equal facilities and allow the student-athletes to have a safe place to get dressed and store their personal belongings. 

• Accessibility will be improved, including increased handicapped parking and ADA compliance.

• More handicap-accessible parking is needed on the Home side.

• Parking and bus/vehicle flow will be redesigned for safer entry/exit.

• Improved visibility for traffic leaving the stadium parking lots.

• Added sidewalk to prevent athletes from walking in the street with oncoming buses and cars.

• Better location for visitor buses to park.

• Outdoor lighting and WiFi access will be enhanced across all facilities.

Facility Improvements:

• The base layer of the turf has been in place for 20 years. It was not replaced 10 years ago, the last time the turf was updated. Replacing the track and the base layer of the turf is now necessary for future seasons.

• Concession stands and plumbing will be upgraded to current codes and health standards.

• The aging 40-year-old field house will be replaced. Meeting room spaces, attached concession areas, separate boys' and girls’ locker rooms, and restrooms will be added to the structure. It will be underneath the current bleachers.

• In an area prone to flooding, the field house will be raised and designed to be better equipped to withstand flood conditions.

• Bathroom facilities will be updated to better serve the community. 

Temporary Disruptions:

• The fields will be closed during Spring 2025 and the 2025-26 school year for renovations.

• The district is working to host home football games at a neighboring school's stadium during this time.

Funding:

• These improvements need to be made, and future costs will only rise. This project was discussed and evaluated by the previous superintendent but tabled six years ago to save the district money at that time. Unfortunately, the time has come when small patches and repairs will no longer work. 

• The total project cost will be spread over 30 years, equating to 1% of the district's annual operating budget.

• These upgrades will move forward regardless of the outcome of the upcoming levy.

• This type of project does not require a Bond Issue to be passed. 

Dates this Project was Discussed at Board Meetings:

• June 24, 2023

• July 24, 2023

• December 12, 2023

• January 8, 2024

• February 12, 2024

• March 4, 2024

• March 11, 2024

• May 13, 2024

Not Tied to the November 5, 2024 Levy:

This project is unrelated to the 5-mill levy being voted on this November 5th. The stadium project has been a goal of the district upon completing Viking Village and will happen regardless of the outcome of the upcoming levy. Levy Resolutions were passed at the board meetings on May 13, 2024, June 10, 2024, and June 24, 2024.