After decades of proposals and campaigns, Watsonville High School is on the verge of completing its $5 million-plus major overhaul of Emmett M. Geiser Field.
The most notable changes are the brand-new set of shiny chrome bleachers that will accommodate up to 2,100 guests and a pristine press box with state-of-the-art features.
“I know we’re putting a lot of money in it, but you can see a difference,” said Sergio Ambriz, director of facilities and construction at Pajaro Valley Unified School District.
The construction project was split up into two phases using funds from both Measure L and M bonds, which were passed by voters in 2012 and 2025, respectively.
Measure L money went toward the first phase to install the bleachers and press box with a price tag of $4.6 million.
The home side bleachers can occupy up to 1,120 guests, while the visitor side bleachers can seat up to 980.
In the process, the bathrooms on the visitor side bleachers were removed and replaced with ramps to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines. The large green hedges along Riverside Drive were also cut down to give outsiders a better view of the stadium.
The second phase, which is still under construction, will repair the basketball courts and surrounding asphalt areas next to the stadium. That part is scheduled to be completed by Sept. 30 with newly paved and striped play areas.
“If you walk to the field and you have something that ‘s all cracked, how can you take pride in that project when you walk onto it and it doesn’t look right?” Ambriz said.
Phase two also includes replacing the bathrooms on the home side bleachers and installing the wiring inside the press box. Those are expected to be completed in November.
In the meantime, the school will provide “VIP” portable restrooms.
Watsonville High Principal Joe Gregorio, a former Wildcatz football player who practically lived on the old wooden bleachers, said he now feels a sense of pride.
In 1990, Watsonville hosted the Central Coast Section football championship because that’s how great the stadium was, Gregorio added.
According to Gregorio, they now have the second largest capacity in Santa Cruz County behind Carl Conelly Stadium at Cabrillo College.
The first official event at Geiser Field will be a non-league football game between Watsonville and Alvarez on Sept. 19 at 7pm.
The construction project is nearly complete, but it didn’t come with its set of setbacks such as the 2023 flood, causing the track to be three inches underwater.
Ambriz said a major part of any construction project is the geo report to see what the water tables look like below. That helps to determine how wide or deep the footings go for a solid foundation.
“We had to go ahead and do a little bit more base rock, more footings and then wider footings,” Ambriz said. “That was one of the biggest changes that obviously pushed us back.”
Another small setback was getting a green light from the Division of the State Architect because if there’s no approval, then there was no way they could begin the project. Once they received the thumbs up at the end of July 2024, it was partially smooth sailing for Ambriz and his team.
“I think this is the center of Watsonville, and this high school is where grandfathers, nephews and a lot of generations go through the school, and they take really good pride in it,” he said.
Gregorio added none of this would be possible without the help of PVUSD Superintendent Heather Contreras, board member Daniel Dodge Jr. and Ambriz.
“Those were the steps that helped us get all these wonderful things here,” Gregorio said. “It’s been a blessing, and we’re super grateful.”
Other plans in the near future include replacing the current stadium flood lights with more efficient LED lighting, a new digital scoreboard and updated sound system.
Gregorio said a digital scoreboard will be useful during the graduation ceremony so parents could watch their children receive diplomas.
“We want this to be a community based venue for them to be able to feel comfortable, come over here and be proud of it,” he said.
