Some big news dropped on Monday at the Fort Wayne Community Schools board meeting.
An estimated $30 million project is planned for the campus of Snider High School that will finally give the Panthers’ football program their own stadium.
During Chief Financial Officer Rosemary Shipman’s presentation on the 2024-25 district-wide Equipment and Facility Improvement Project, details were presented on a new multi-sport facility that is projected to be finished by the fall of 2026.
Details are scarce, but according to information provided at Monday’s meeting, construction of a “+/- 4,000-seat stadium and press box” along with “vented rubber running track and synthetic turf” will be a massive part of the 2024-25 FWCS facility improvement plan.
“For a long time, Snider has needed some type of stadium, so football, soccer, track and the marching band could hold events,” Shipman said in her presentation.
Concession and restroom facilities will also be constructed, as well as additional parking due to the removal of the on-campus tennis courts. New courts will be built across Reed Rd. at Lane Middle School.
For the majority of its history, Snider football has played its “home” games at Spuller Stadium at Northrop High School. While the lack of a true on-campus field has not prevented the Panthers from being one of the pre-eminent football programs in the state, the addition of a stadium complex of its own is a long time coming and will be welcomed by students and fans alike.
The current bleachers at Snider’s Bowser Field will be moved to North Side to provide additional seating on the visiting side of Chambers Field.
Construction will begin in July, with funds coming from bonds for this and various other projects announced Monday throughout the school system.
“In fall of ’26, Snider Stadium should be ready to use,” Shipman said.
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