Spring ISD's New Planet Ford Stadium to Host First Game; Opening Ceremony Planned

HOUSTON, Oct. 31, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Spring ISD's new Planet Ford Stadium will host its first football game today, October 31, followed by a grand-opening celebration planned for November 12 that will feature fireworks, former NFL players and performances by all three high school bands, cheer and dance teams.

The first game to be played at the stadium will feature Spring High School in a match up against Aldine ISD's Eisenhower High School. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Both Westfield and Dekaney high schools will also have an opportunity to play in the stadium during the regular season on Nov. 1 and Nov. 8, respectively.

"We are extremely pleased to be opening Planet Ford Stadium this football season so our players and fans can see what an absolutely beautiful facility this is," said Spring ISD Superintendent Rodney E. Watson. "I know the entire community has been anxiously awaiting for the opening date, so I'm hoping everyone will come out to cheer our teams as they close out the regular season."

The new stadium is the first for the district in more than 50 years, so a formal grand-opening celebration will be held at 6 p.m. on November 12 serving as a pep rally ahead of football playoffs and to formally cut the ribbon on the facility, named after Randall Reed's Planet Ford in Spring.

The district and Planet Ford announced a naming rights agreement over the summer for Planet Ford Stadium and the adjacent Randall Reed Community Center. That naming rights agreement is worth $750,000 over the length of the 10-year contract.

Watson said the naming rights deal with Planet Ford highlights the commitment of the automotive dealership to partner with Spring ISD. The automotive dealership is already a big fan of the district's teachers, donating a new vehicle and an all-expenses-paid cruise to educators at the annual Spring ISD Employee Recognition Banquet.

"We are fortunate to have the support of Planet Ford and are very proud to have such a successful and well-respected company be the namesake of this stadium," Watson said. "Randall Reed and his family are always willing to give back to the community."

Members of the Randall Reed family and Planet Ford employees will be a central part of the grand-opening celebration, which will include giveaways, a fireworks show, and the opportunity to check out some of the latest Ford vehicles, decked out in the colors of Spring ISD's three comprehensive high schools.

"We're very excited to be a part of this historic moment for Spring ISD and Planet Ford," said Randall Reed, owner of Planet Ford and World Class Automotive Group. "It's not every day that a school district opens a brand new football stadium, and we're very proud to have our name on it and help support our schools. It truly is an incredible stadium, and we can't wait to see all the seats filled with fans."

The new stadium features a low-glare turf field with seating for 8,000 fans, a state-of-the-art video scoreboard system, great views from every seat, family-friendly concessions and modern press box amenities. The facility was designed by Stantec Architects and constructed by Durotech.

Two special features of the project include the Randall Reed Center, a community room for up to 300 guests with options for catered meetings and events, and a memorial to honor the sacrifice of area service members.

Planet Ford Stadium was made possible by the district's $330 million bond program, approved by voters in 2016 to address long-standing facility, technology, and safety and security needs of Spring ISD. In addition to the stadium, the five-year bond program includes technology, safety and security improvements, two middle schools, building maintenance projects, a new police command center and three ninth-grade centers.

What: Grand Opening of the Planet Ford Stadium in Spring ISD
When: 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12
Where: 23802 Cypresswood Drive, Spring, TX 77373
Who: Spring ISD Board Trustees, Superintendent Rodney E. Watson, Planet Ford's Randall Reed and Shawn Burns, former NFL players, Spring ISD principals, administrators and students.

SOURCE World Class Automotive Group