District Will Allow Ads to Support Athletic Facilities

LAKEWOOD, Wash.-The gyms, baseball fields and swimming pools at Clover Park School District’s two high schools, as well as the district-owned stadium, may soon begin sporting ads from local businesses.

The district board recently decided to allow such ads as a way of supporting the increasingly expensive upkeep of athletic facilities and related student body activities. For example, the annual changing of light bulbs at Harry Lang Stadium costs $8,000. The district’s two pools require relining every eight to 10 years, a $500,000 expense.

With the stadium drawing up to 4,000 fans for important games, and an average of 2,200 fans for home football games, the board believes area businesses will see a benefit in using the facilities’ walls as another advertising medium.

Suggested annual fees will range from $200 for an ad placed at one high school’s baseball and softball fields during the spring season to $2,000 for a year-round ad at all of the district’s facilities.

The district does not plan to actively solicit advertisers. Instead, student body groups and booster clubs will be asked to sell the ads. Revenues from the ads will be split evenly between the sellers and the district, with the district earmarking all the funds to athletic activities.