VERO BEACH — Though Friday night’s Vero Beach High School Homecoming game will be held at the Citrus Bowl as planned, home team supporters will not be using the home team stands.
Instead, temporary bleachers will be brought in to provide seating due to safety concerns regarding the condition of the concrete home bleachers.
“We have been monitoring the condition of the concrete bleachers at the Citrus Bowl for some time,” Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell said in a prepared statement. “It is a great facility that has served the school and community very well for many years, but has begun to show signs of deterioration. Monday afternoon we received a report from a structural engineer that indicated the condition of the aging concrete bleachers may be a safety concern. That prompted this decision. The safety of everyone involved must be our top priority at all times.”
The District considered moving the game and Homecoming festivities to Holman Stadium at Historic Dodgertown but the site was determined to not be suitable.
“While the option to play at Holman was appealing, we just could not make it work,” Rendell said. “By keeping the game at the Citrus Bowl, we will be able to conduct all of the Homecoming activities we had planned. The students, especially the Seniors, will be able to experience this last home game on their own field, on their own campus.”
Along with temporary bleachers to replace the concrete stands, portable bleachers will be placed at each end zone to accommodate the crowd, Rendell said.