Heath Stadium Grandstands

The stadium was built in 1957 and the roof was added in 1962. 

The Lebanon School District Board, based on a recommendation from District leadership and legal counsel, made the decision to close the seating in Heath Stadium based on multiple professional assessments identifying significant safety concerns. These include advanced concrete deterioration exposing rusted rebar, corroded steel supports, and several areas that do not meet modern safety standards for fall protection and accessibility. Although the damage does not currently pose an immediate life-safety threat, the risk of tripping, falling debris, and long-term structural degradation led experts to recommend closing the seating area.

Independent reports from ZCS Engineering, CSE Engineering, and the District’s insurance risk pool (PACE) all advised urgent action. PACE categorized the stadium as a “severe” risk and emphasized that past patchwork repairs are no longer sufficient. Continuing to allow use of the bleachers could expose the District to significant liability, especially with known hazards present.

In order to protect students, staff, and the community, and to meet legal responsibilities to provide a reasonably safe facility, the District has temporarily closed the stadium seating until the structural issues can be resolved.

Recent assessments of Heath Stadium identified several significant structural and safety concerns. Inspectors found widespread concrete deterioration in the bleachers, including exposed and corroding rebar, cracks, and spalling, which compromise the long-term integrity of the structure. Portions of the steel support framing also showed signs of rust and corrosion, particularly at connection points and base plates. Additionally, the stadium does not meet current safety standards for accessibility, guardrails, and step design, creating tripping and fall hazards. 

Before 2016, Oregon provided no state funding for school construction or major repairs, so districts relied on local property taxes and voter-approved General Obligation (GO) bonds. While the State School Fund helps cover daily operations and basic maintenance, it doesn't provide enough for large-scale renovations or new construction. Federal support is also very limited, leaving local bonds as the main way to fund needed facility improvements. 

The Oregon School Capital Improvement Matching (OSCIM) Program began in 2016. Prior to its inception, Oregon did not provide state funding support for school infrastructure projects; districts relied on property tax revenues and General Obligation bonds to finance such improvements.  Districts can only receive the matching grant of up to $6 million by applying and then passing a voter-approved General Obligation (GO) bond. 

All events at the stadium will continue as scheduled. The visitor’s section and alternative seating will be provided. 

All events at the stadium will continue as scheduled. Graduates will receive the same number of graduation tickets (eight) as planned prior to the stadium closure. Alternative seating will be provided by the district.