Graduation to showcase community’s investments in youth, school district

Ottawa High School students will have their graduation ceremonies in Steve Grogan Stadium — weather permitting — albeit in a slightly different configuration to accommodate the wet sod and flattened football field.

The improvements include a natural-looking and safer flat field sans the long jump and high jump pits. The new metal bleachers and track are dramatic improvements as are the new entrance, concessions area, lighting and fencing.

Those are all investments from Ottawa taxpayers. Those investments helped create a sports and activities complex rather than just a football field.

It is a venue yet to be discovered by hundreds more people this weekend when friends and relatives from all over the state and beyond come to celebrate the Cyclone graduates of 2008’s commencement.

The look is a far cry from just two years ago and the community should be proud of the improvements.

Another unplanned improvement will be a new scoreboard following its fall from grace from high winds earlier in the month. Other improvements, such as smoothing out the soccer field and expanding and enhancing the press box, are needed but those can occur as time and resources allow.

Still, students and the community can justifiably be proud of the enhanced sports complex. So many of the students’ high school memories originated at this complex during dismal days to its emerging glory.