Monterey High School stadium project given green light after lawsuit is dismissed

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON MARCH 7, 2024 AT 1:16 PM- The lights could finally take effect at Dan Albert Stadium in Monterey.

The Monterey High Toreadors could finally have night games on-campus after a Court of Appeal judge dismissed a lawsuit that was against the stadium improvement project.

In the lawsuit titled Preserving the Peace v. Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, the plaintiffs were trying to appeal a Monterey County Superior Judge's dismissal of the case from back in December.

The lawsuit claimed the project did not have approval from local fire authority and lacked handicap access for disabled people.

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District says there are no remaining legal challenges to the project.

The court also denied the plaintiff's request for over $400,000 in fees and costs.

The project will feature four permanent field lights at Dan Albert Stadium which would allow the football team to finally have night games on their campus.

The project would also include the following:

• Turning a dirt field next to Dan Albert Stadium used for parking into a softball and multi-use field
• Building a 1,920-square-foot strength and conditioning center
• Replacing the press box
• A new P.A. system
• Adding bleachers to the visiting sideline as well.

District officials confirmed the project is expected to start construction this spring and will be completed by Spring 2025.

Original Story

UPDATE ON DEC. 12, 2023 AT 12:54 PM- Monterey County Superior Court Judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the Monterey High School stadium project.

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District said that that claims filed against the project were "legally inadequate."

The lawsuit claimed the project did not have approval from a local fire authority and lacked access for people who are disabled.

The project is expected to convert a dirt field near Dan Albert Stadium into a parking are and a softball field.

"While we are pleased with the Court’s latest ruling in our favor, MPUSD remains frustrated that this worthwhile project continues to be challenged," District Superintendent P.K. Diffenbaugh said in a statement. "And that public funds must be expended to defeat these repeated -- and in this case, meritless -- lawsuits.” 

The project would also bring four new permeant field lights to the stadium and a new P.A. system.