FARMINGTON -- Farmington opens up its state-of-the-art $16 million Sports Complex and Cardinal Stadium to the public Thursday with scrimmages with the Red and White games beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Admission is $5 and the public is invited to come see the complex, tour some of the facilities and watch red and white games with junior high and high school football teams putting on scrimmages.
According to Farmington athletic director Brad Blew, this will be a chance for the students such as cheerleaders, dance teams and band kids who will be using the complex to see the facility for their first time and get an idea of what it's going to be like on game night.
A big part of the evening will be the opportunity for the school district to recognize and thank donors who have given to the project, whether donations were cash or in-kind donations. Blew was successful in raising about $600,000 to help with the expenses of the complex.
A donor wall located near the main gate will showcase everyone who contributed to the project and pay tribute to Allen Holland for his many contributions to Farmington football. Holland, for whom the previous football field on Double Springs Road was named, coached the Cardinals from 1969-1991 compiling a 189-37 record highlighted by winning consecutive state championships in 1972 and 1973.
The information contains details about other aspects of Farmington football history, plus testify to accomplishments of all other sports at Farmington High School.
All preseason activities point towards the season-opener in the annual 'Battle of 62' rivalry versus Prairie Grove on Friday, Sept. 6. Four events at Cardinal Stadium will help school officials pinpoint logistical issues or problems that could arise including the grand opening, PeeWee Jamboree, a senior high scrimmage against Van Buren and a junior high football game Thursday, Sept. 5 against Prairie Grove.
Rules for those attending games at Cardinal Stadium differ somewhat from what Farmington fans were accustomed to at Allen Holland Field. Cardinal Stadium has been designated a gun-free zone and won't allow pets, except service animals. Spectators won't be allowed on the turf field and can't bring sports chairs but can bring bleacher seats. Other items, such as skateboards, also aren't allowed in the sports complex.
For Friday night games, Farmington has reserved parking passes for about 175 spaces and 180 passes for reserved chair-back seats and passes for a section of reserved bench-back seats.
Farmington continues to offer a general admission season pass, all-sports pass, individual game ticket and an all-sports pass for students.
Sports on 08/14/2019