RFH Looks Into Replacing Wooden Grandstand

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By Christina Johnson
RUMSON – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School officials say it’s time to say goodbye to the home team’s aging wooden grandstand, and replace it with a new aluminum one.
The district is seeking bids to build a new stadium seating system and press box at Two River Times Field behind the high school at 74 Ridge Road.
“It’s not an issue of safety; it’s not going anywhere,” said Superintendent Pete Righi. Instead, he said it’s more about solving the cyclical problem of replacing the weatherboards about every 10 to 15 years. It’s time again.
“All you need to do is sit on them – they are splintering. The wood is cracking, the wood is getting beat up. It probably is a safety issue as far as splinters go,” he said, with a worried laugh.
Business administrator Frank Gripp said the grandstand replacement is part of the district’s long-range plan for improvements but not necessarily “a must-do” item this year. The exterior brick-and-block exterior encasing the seating system, probably installed in the 1940s, will also be replaced with a similar style that can be utilized for storage.

Looking through the side window of the Press Box, which will also be part of the upgrade plan.
Looking through the side window of the Press Box, which will also be part of the upgrade plan.

The new press box will have sections for the coaching staffs of the home and visiting team, separated by an announcer’s booth. There will also be a coaches’ platform on the roof so the team leaders can have a bird’s eye view of the turf field. The sound system will not be replaced.
At this time, the district is not looking to replace the visitor’s wooden grandstand across the turf field. The seating was replaced in 2008 and is not in need of repair, said officials.
Outside of athletic events, the school has also held graduations and occasional community fairs at the venue.
Gripp acknowledged that soft wooden floor, steps and purple benches have been a distinctive tradition at RFH’s Borden Stadium for many years. “But we’re at the point now where nostalgia is getting very expensive,” he said.