West Valley College celebrated the opening of its new baseball complex Jan. 26 with a win over American River College. The Vikings won their first home game at Valhalla Park 2-1 over the Beavers.
The new complex, which cost nearly $30 million to build, consists of brand-new batting facilities, Major League Baseball-quality locker rooms, scouting equipment and seating for more than 500 spectators, according to Cade Story-Yetto, chief of staff for the chancellor’s office.
West Valley staff and students gathered at Valhalla Park before the game for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the end of construction, which started in November 2021. The lively ceremony was complete with hot dogs, burgers and West Valley’s mascot, who was engaging with the crowd and taking pictures with spectators.
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Renovations to the baseball complex were long overdue, as the facility had not seen a major update since it was first built in the 1970s, according to the college’s website. The project, part of West Valley’s Facilities Master Plan, was funded by local taxpayers through the passage of Measure W, a $698 million bond measure approved by voters in 2018.
Story-Yetto said the West Valley Mission Community College District intends for Valhalla Park to be open to members of the community, including little league teams and local residents who are interested in using the space for athletic or community events like movie nights.
“Our district envisions Valhalla Park serving as a vibrant hub of community activity, transcending the typical role of a collegiate sports complex,” Story-Yetto said in an email.
West Valley hopes to use the baseball complex for a sports management program, and will soon offer internships and workshops in athletic operations, Story-Yetto said.
