EL MONTE –El Monte Union High School District held a socially distanced groundbreaking ceremony at Rosemead High School on March 25, with administrators and staff cheerfully celebrating the launch of construction for the school’s new track and field.

Members of the EMUHSD Board of Trustees joined Rosemead High School administrators and staff to give speeches and commemorate the start of much-needed renovations and upgrades to the school’s track and field. Board President Florencio Briones and Rosemead High Principal Dr. Brian Bristol were among the speakers who thanked the community for their continued support of students.

The project, which features a new synthetic football field and repairs to the rubberized track, is expected to be completed in July 2021.

“Rosemead High School is excited for this project to be underway and we are thankful to our community for supporting this project for the purpose of providing our students with the upgraded facilities they deserve,” Dr. Bristol said. “We cannot wait for our Panthers to make great use of the track and field.”

The $5 million project is funded by Measure D, a bond approved by voters in November 2008 that focuses on modernizing El Monte Union campuses and classrooms. Upgrades and renovations have continued at a steady pace amid school closures, preparing school sites for the eventual return of students.

“We are pleased to be able to provide these enhanced facilities that support our students in their athletic endeavors,” said Norma Marcias, Director of Facilities, Maintenance Operations and Transportation. “Safety is always our number one priority and promise when it comes to our students, and renovating our facilities is a part of that promise.”

The groundbreaking ceremony also celebrated upcoming renovations to Rosemead High School’s concessions buildings, a separate project funded by Measure HS – a bond approved by voters November 2018.

“The support our community has shown for our students is incredible and it is that support that makes these campus improvements possible,” Superintendent Edward A. Zuniga said. “Thank you to the El Monte Unioncommunity, and to everyone involved who has done the hard work to ensure that our Panthers continue to have the safe, modern facilities they deserve.”

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032621EMUHSDRHSTRACK1: El Monte Union High School Districthosts a socially distanced groundbreaking ceremony at Rosemead High School to kick-off renovations and upgrades to the track and field March 25.