Community Pride and Support

Eatonville comes together to raise funds to renovate high school football stadium

By Rick Stedman

The Greater Eatonville Community
Foundation is working to renovate and
upgrade the 88-year-old Eatonville High
School stadium.
The new grandstand would be larger
and would comply with the Americans
with Disabilities Act, and allow the school
to host invitations and post-season events
for the first time, removing the need to
travel for as many major competitions.
“This means less time on the road,
more opportunities for our athletes and
increased community engagement—all
while bringing additional revenue to
Eatonville,” Eatonville School District
Superintendent Jay Brower says..
According to Dan Fountain, a retired
coach and teacher from the Eatonville
School District, the foundation leadership
team reads like a who’s who in Eatonville.
This year’s officers include Mayor David
Baublits, Kirk Heinz, Bev Wilson and Joy
Van Eaton Nelson. The Board of Trustees
includes Jeff Allen, Jay Brower, Rick
Christensen, Kathy Knelleken, Ronda
Litzenberger, Dr. Gloria Lowe, Aaron
Pruitt, Salina Smathers and Dan.
“There are currently 12 members on the
board of trustees who have all donated to
the organization and roughly another 72
community members who have donated to
this particular fund already,” Dan says.

Project Background
Eatonville High School recently upgraded
the high school’s track and field and is
hoping to create a modern, accessible
stadium to match.
The stadium’s track and field renovation
was funded by a 2024 capital levy. While
the levy didn’t include updating the
stadium, the opportunity emerged after the
school district received several grants.
“However, the school district was
$550,000 short of having enough money
to provide a quality modern covered
grandstand with handicap access,” Dan
says. “The recently formed Greater
Eatonville Community Foundation
decided to take on the task of helping
reduce the deficit by creating one fund
solely to support the creation of the new
grandstand.”
Jay says the district and foundation
are using every available communication
method to share updates and encourage
community engagement—including social
media, the district website, newsletters,
school board meetings and direct outreach
to local organizations.
“The Greater Eatonville Community
Foundation has been instrumental in
rallying support, and we continue to work
closely with them to ensure that everyone
who wants to be part of this exciting effort
has the opportunity to,” he says.
The new track and field are expected to
be ready when school starts in the fall.
“With continued support, we aim to
finish the stadium project later this year,”
Jay says. “The momentum behind this
project is incredible, and we are committed
to making these improvements a reality for
our students and community.”

How can the public get involved?
Community members can help replace
the outdated grandstand structure with a
modern, safe facility with increased seating
capacity by making a tax-deductible
donation to the Greater Eatonville
Community Foundation.
The foundation accepts donations
of any amount toward the project, but
it encourages alumni and community
members to sponsor seats as a powerful
way to impact the next generation.
Seat sponsors can leave their or a loved
one’s name on a seat that will be part of
countless memories for students, athletes
and families.
“By sponsoring a seat, you are
enhancing the athletic facilities and
ensuring that the stadium is inclusive for
all, with ADA-compliant seating available
to individuals with disabilities,” says
GECF Board Secretary Joy Van Eaton
Nelson. “This thoughtful contribution
demonstrates a commitment to providing
equal access and creating an environment
where every community member can
enjoy the excitement of school events.”
EHS alumni also have the chance
to give back to the place that helped
shape who they are and ensure future
generations have the same opportunities
and experiences they had.
“Your sponsorship will testify to your
pride, support and dedication to the school
and the greater Eatonville community,” Joy
says. 

For more information or to contact the
Greater Eatonville Community Foundation,
visit www.eatonvillecares.com or call
253-227-7998.
Visit eatonvillecares.com to find the stadium
seat sponsorship form.