VIDEO: Griffith Field renovations taking shape

VIDEO: Griffith Field renovations taking shape

For more than a year, the renovation of Bakersfield High School’s historic Griffith Field have been ongoing, but the completion of the massive project is nearing the finish line.

Bakersfield High School Principal David Reese said the stadium should reopen for the team’s Sept. 29 game against Ridgeview, and the project is moving along on schedule.

Opened in 1923, Griffith Field was originally home to Bakersfield College and Bakersfield High’s powerful football programs. The Drillers have made it their own since the 1950s, and have dominated on the field.

“We wanted to get the best of the old (stadium) and move it forward and modernize it,” Reese said.

Before the renovations, Griffith Field was plagued by drainage issues and flooding that made the field a mess late in the season. The stadium’s dirt track also featured the unusual feature of having runners run behind the visiting bleachers. That has all changed with the renovation and addition of an all-weather track — the second in the Kern High School District.

The ample visitors stands have been moved back, and new concrete concourses have been poured that replaced the old dirt area and basketball courts. The renovation preserved the historic grandstand but two additional seating areas now flank the main grandstand. Underneath the main stadium new boys and girls locker rooms, showers and coach’s offices are being constructed.

One historic item that was preserved was the tunnel that leads the Drillers from the locker rooms onto the field. Reese said there was a plan to remove the tunnel but the school fought to preserve the iconic place, where many former Driller players have carved their named into the walls to honor championship seasons.

Other improvements include a new press box, new snack bar and much-improved restrooms. Previously, visitors had to use portable toilets on the visitors side.

UNCOVERING HISTORY AT GRIFFITH FIELD

A gallery of renovations of Bakersfield High School’s Griffith Field

Latest Blogs

Ralph’s Confidence Continues To Waver As Default Continues Creeping Closer

Ralph’s Confidence Continues To Waver As Default Continues Creeping Closer

With only 6 days remaining before Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s prediction of a default on our economy TRBS Host Ralph Bailey shares his increasing frustration in the lack of urgency from Democratic leaders to help get a deal done to protect our economy. KERN Radio · Ralph's Confidence Continues To Waver As Default Continues Creeping…

The Five’s Judge Jeanine Pirro Joins TRBS

The Five’s Judge Jeanine Pirro Joins TRBS

Author, former judge & prosecutor, & Host of Fox News hit show “The Five”, Judge Jeanine Pirro joins The Ralph Bailey Show to talk about her new book Crimes Against America: The Left’s Takedown Of Our Republic where she warns of the radical left’s strangle hold on our education system & continued failures at our…

Ralph Explains Why ‘DeSantis Debacle’ On Twitter ‘Just Doesn’t Matter’

Ralph Explains Why ‘DeSantis Debacle’ On Twitter ‘Just Doesn’t Matter’

The Ralph Bailey Show shares the criticisms of the media who are calling Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s presidential run announcement on Twitter yesterday a complete failure, however Ralph shares his theory on why the announcement’s shortcomings ultimately will have little effect on DeSantis potentially becoming the Republican nominee. KERN Radio · Ralph Explains Why 'DeSantis…

Turnipseed Believes Default Spells The End For Speaker McCarthy

Turnipseed Believes Default Spells The End For Speaker McCarthy

President of Kern Tax, Mike Turnipseed joins the Ralph Bailey Show as he & Ralph discuss the ongoing debt limit negotiations between House Republicans & President Biden with only a week left before we reach Janet Yellen’s predicted deadline. Then Mike & Ralph discuss what default means for both sides of the ile as Republicans…