Proposed Rio Americano stadium changes spark environmental debate

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — A proposal to upgrade Rio Americano High School’s stadium is drawing attention beyond students and parents, raising concerns about potential impacts to the nearby American River Parkway.

On any given day, the parkway is filled with cyclists, walkers and wildlife just beyond the trail. For some community members, that proximity is exactly why the school’s plans are being closely scrutinized.

Warren Truitt, past president of the Save the American River Association, described the area as “It’s kind like having your own zoo in your backyard.” 

Truitt and others worry that proposed improvements, including permanent lighting, a press box, a sound system, and bleachers could affect wildlife and the surrounding environment.

San Juan Unified School District says the goal is to modernize a stadium that already exists and better serve a campus that has grown to nearly 2,000 students. 

Rio Americano High School Principal Cliff Kelly said the stadium currently lacks adequate lighting, forcing teams to rely on portable generators and limiting practice times. Kelly said the upgrades are not only about athletics. 

“Often times I believe the stadium is referred to as how athletes can benefit. I don’t think people understand, we have conversation around where graduation can occur and where outside student learning spaces can be,” Kelly said.

District leaders say the improvements could allow graduations, rallies and physical education classes to be held outdoors, easing pressure on limited indoor space. Kelly said the number of students now exceeds the school’s gym capacity, making outdoor options increasingly important.

Parents like Amanda Magee said the need is already evident.

“My daughter plays soccer and she’s out there right now playing under diesel powered generated lights. The smell of that sitting on the sidelines, they can’t even hear their coaches,” Magee said.

Magee said Rio Americano does not currently have a true home field, requiring teams to practice and compete at other schools and transport equipment back and forth. She said permanent lighting and facilities could reduce travel, generator use and emissions. 

“With the reduction of miles traveled for the kids, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for diesel powered generators we have right now, I think it’s just going to have an overall boom to our community, the environment and the neighborhood,” Magee said.

Still, some neighbors and environmental advocates say location matters. The stadium sits immediately next to the American River Parkway, a federally protected Wild and Scenic River passage. Truitt said wildlife, particularly birds, can be sensitive to light and noise, and he worries animals could be displaced from a biologically rich area near the river. 

“The critters are right there right on the other side of the fence,” Truitt said.

At a community meeting Wednesday night, residents shared what they want officials to focus on in the environmental report, including light pollution, noise and the effects of additional traffic on the parkway and nearby homes. This was the second community meeting, with more planned.

The proposed project would be the second high school in the area to install permanent stadium lighting, after neighboring Jesuit High School did so in 2024.

Barbara Dugal, who lives near the school, said she supports opportunities for students but worries about cumulative impacts. 

“We want kids to have the opportunity to prosper and to do well. But it can’t come at the expense and the community and the parkway cannot be the only one accepting the burden,” Dugal said.

Dugal also criticized the district for what she described as limited transparency and outreach, saying stakeholders received more than 175 pages of material with little time to review.

Kelly said he recognizes community concerns and that the district is looking at ways to mitigate light and sound impacts. He said many people who spoke remain supportive of the project while also raising concerns.

Public comments on what environmental topics should be addressed are being accepted until early February. The final environmental report is expected to be released by fall.

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