Princeton City Schools opened its renovated Jake Sweeney Automotive Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 26, after a $22 million rebuild. The 65-year-old facility at Pat Mancuso Field serves families across Evendale, Woodlawn, Sharonville and Springdale.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony launched the annual People of Princeton Festival, which ran from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Viking Village on the Princeton High School campus.
Crews from Megen Construction spent the past school year rebuilding the stadium, which first opened in 1961. The project, first reported by WCPO, is funded through the district's operating budget at roughly $1.2 million a year, with payments running through fiscal year 2042 and beyond.
The renovation replaced a 20-year-old turf base and track, added a three-story fieldhouse with locker rooms, a press box, coaches' offices and concessions, and built a dedicated girls' locker room. Separate home and visitor entries, a new practice field, upgraded lighting, WiFi and additional ADA-compliant parking round out the upgrades.
MSA Sport designed the fieldhouse with angular forms meant to echo a Viking ship's bow, according to the district's master facilities update. Princeton students helped shape the facility, designing a custom lobby graphic and collaborating on the field's graphic design during early planning sessions.
The ribbon-cutting began at 11 a.m. The Pride of Princeton Marching Band followed at 11:15 a.m. with its first home performance of the season. Festival-goers browsed food trucks, games, vendor booths and giveaways. Mariachi musicians were scheduled to perform at noon, followed by Heritage Hill at 1:30 p.m. Pick-up fútbol games ran behind the high school.
Construction delays had pushed the stadium's competitive opening past the start of fall sports. The district told families in an Aug. 11 announcement that the site would not be ready on time. Three September varsity football games moved to Roettger Stadium in Lockland.
"We appreciate our community's patience and understanding as we work through these final steps to deliver a first-class facility that will serve Princeton students for generations," Athletic Director Joe Roberts said in that August announcement.
Later Saturday, the Princeton Vikings girls junior varsity soccer team hosted Miamisburg at 4 p.m. It was the first athletic competition on the new field.
What's next
- Wednesday, Sept. 30: Homecoming Parade steps off at 6 p.m. from Princeton Community Middle School, travels east on Sharon Road, turns onto Chester Road and ends at the stadium. Springdale Mayor Lawrence C. Hawkins III serves as grand marshal.
- Friday, Oct. 2: Homecoming football game, Princeton vs. Mason, 7 p.m. kickoff. Coach Pat Mancuso, the field's namesake, is expected to attend.
- Saturday, Oct. 3: All-Class Reunion, noon to 5 p.m. at the PHS Mural Amphitheater, hosted by the Princeton Alumni Association and Princeton Athletic Boosters.
