How to get to Cruiser Stadium through the construction zone

By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor

Are you wondering how you will find your way to Cruiser Stadium this fall for football and soccer season through all the construction being done for the new Groveport Madison High School?

According to Jeff Warner, Groveport Madison Schools communications officer, spectators will use  a temporary paved path along the north side of the high school site with access to the stadium from both the high school parking lot and Eastland Fairfield Career Center parking lots. Designated handicapped parking will also be located on the north side of the site.

“For Groveport Madison High School, all of the parking lots shown on the diagram (see graphic) will be available for spectator parking,” said Warner. “Eastland Fairfield Career Center has graciously agreed to allow us use of their southern parking lots adjoining our property for additional parking. There will be access to the north spectator path from the Eastland Fairfield lots.”

When asked if there would be any kind of spectator shuttle program to the stadium from parking lots at nearby businesses, Warner said, “We are looking into the possibility of providing shuttles from a remote location, but this has not yet been finalized. We will have Groveport Police special duty officers to assist with traffic management. We are also looking at adding signage to help direct traffic and pedestrian flow. We want to encourage car pooling as much as possible. We will be promoting car pooling to minimize traffic congestion.”

A temporary ticket booth is being placed at the north entrance to the stadium, because the ticket windows at the concession building will not be used during the construction process. The concession stand will remain open.

“The north access path will be the only spectator entrance to the stadium,” said Warner. “The teams, bands, and emergency vehicles will use the access drive on the south side of the site. Spectators will not be permitted to use the south vehicle access drive. We will be adding signage to make things as easy as possible for our guests.”

Warner said the stadium access path will remain in place during the entire construction process. The new high school is expected to open in the fall of 2018.

“We do not anticipate any other changes in how spectators will access the stadium during construction at this juncture,” said Warner.

Cruiser football and soccer teams use Cruiser Stadium in the fall. However, in the spring during construction, Warner said all of the school’s track meets will, at least for the 2016-17 season, be scheduled as “away” meets.

Warner said the construction area is fenced off and the gates are secured once workers leave the site at the end of their work day.