Riverdale High School unveils new sports complex and academic upgrades

Riverdale High School is undergoing a massive transformation with a multimillion-dollar renovation project, promising a brand new look for both its classrooms and athletic facilities.

WINK News got an exclusive tour of the new sports complex, revealing a state-of-the-art weight room ready just in time for the start of spring football.

“I’m so excited, even more excited because of the boys; the way they ran and the way they were so excited,” said Kendoll Gibson, Riverdale High School’s head football coach. “As a coach, that’s what we live for.”

The new facilities give the Raiders a sense of pride and equality with their peers.

“We get to walk in rooms and have our heads up held high and the boys have that sense of that too, because now we’re on the same playing field as everyone else,” said Gibson.

The renovation is not just benefiting the football team; the entire student body will enjoy upgraded facilities. The project includes brand new science labs, a gymnasium, parking lots, locker rooms, a practice field and a JROTC tower.

“Riverdale facilities, athletically and educationally, have not been up to where they need to be and to start this fall sports season, we’re going to have the best of everything for our kids, our community,” said Scott Cook, Riverdale High School’s principal.

The upgrades also address previous challenges in hosting events, according to Riverdale Athletic Director Justin Budmayr.

“Hosting events here at Riverdale has always been quite the challenge with visiting teams, officials locker room spaces, parking has been a huge issue for us. Now the facilities are a lot more hospitable to everybody,” said Budmayr.

While the final touches are still a few months away, the Raiders’ future is already taking shape.

“No excuses. No matter what obstacle is thrown our way, we can adapt and overcome,” said Gibson.

Riverdale is expected to have 2,000 students enrolled next year. Principal Cook said that once the project is finished, the athletic facilities will meet the needs of both the school and the community.