Bedford Community Stadium
A Privately Funded Project of the Bedford High School Alumni Association
Located on Jackman Road in Temperance, Michigan between Bedford High School and Bedford Junior High School
A Brief Overview of the Bedford Community Stadium Project
The Bedford Community Stadium is exactly that: a "Community Stadium". Built by the community. Built for the community. And embodying the best the community has to offer. In 1995, a group of concerned citizens, Bedford High School Alumni and Bedford Public Schools administrators met to assess the condition of the old high school stadium and to develop a plan to build a new, more functional stadium. Their objective was only to meet the needs of the school and its various athletic and performing arts organizations, but to have the stadium serve as a community resource at well. From that point, the Bedford High School Alumni Association was formed and named the Bedford Community Stadium as its first special project. The stadium committee developed the following mission statement: "To build a quality community stadium based on a well thought out master plan which will be a source of real, long-lasting community pride." Click here to read history of Bedford Community Stadium Committee.
Fundraising for the project began in January of 1996. A conceptual model of the new community stadium was completed and was on display at the Bedford Trade Fair in March of 1996. The new stadium was constructed as part of the sports complex that housed a running track which is located behind the Bedford Junior High and High School buildings at Dean and Jackman Roads. Actual construction of the stadium began in the summer of 1996 with the renovation of the of the grass surface inside the track. An underground sprinkler system was also added at that time. Fundraising efforts continued into the spring of 1997. During this period of time the stadium committee had secured enough money from various fund-raisers, donor pledges and in-kind donations to secure a $1,000,000 loan to complete phase I of the stadium project (click here to read Bedford Board Resolution for Loan and payment schedule). Construction of phase I was completed in the fall of 1997. The first football game was played in the new stadium on October 3, 1997 in front an estimated crowd of 7,000 fans. Click here to read newspaper articles written about the stadium project from 1995 to 1998.
If you have questions concerning the Bedford Community Stadium Project please contact Gene Stock.
Bedford could receive more money for the Bedford Community Stadium
Toledo Blade February 1, 2012: "Bedford schools offered $10,000 for ad-sign contract"
Bedford Now January 26, 2012: "Bedford could receive more money for Stadium"
Grogan’s Towne Field Info:
Bedford Now September 2, 2011 “Bedford Home Opener has carnival atmosphere”
Bedford Now September 2, 2011 Bedford Football Pre-Game Photos:
WDIV Detroit September 2, 2011: “School Sells Naming Rights”
Bedford Now August 30, 2011: “Stadium Dedication Friday”
Fox Toledo 36 Video March 31, 2011: Click here to read the story and view the video of "Grogan's wants to sponsor HS stadium. Bedford Community Stadium looking for sponsor."
Newspaper Articles:
Toledo Blade June 8, 2011: "Grogan's Towne gets naming rights to field"
Click here to view a printable copy of this news story.
Bedford Now April 9, 2011: "School board to consider stadium naming rights deal"
Toledo Blade April 6, 2011: "Auto dealer speeds to deal for naming rights of Bedford field"
Bedford Press November 9, 2009 "Bedford Alumni Association still working hard to pay off stadium debt"
Phases I & II of the stadium construction are now complete, but we, along with the Bedford Band Boosters are still raising funds to pay off Phases I & II before Phase III can begin.
Phase I includes: Click here to view stadium drawing from the Architectural firm of SSOE
Natural turf playing surface
NFL quality goalposts
PA system
"Recognition" Wall
Scoreboard and Message Board
Stadium lights
Three-story press box
Entry Pavilions
Information Center
Aluminum bench seating for 5,000 spectators
Phase II includes:
Concession stands (Constructed by the Bedford Band Boosters)
Sidewalks at the west end of the stadium
Phase III will include:
Permanent restrooms & locker rooms Click here to view drawings by SSOE of proposed home rest rooms. Click here to view proposed visitor rest rooms.
Bedford Community Stadium Video
Click here to watch promotional video of the Bedford Community Stadium project.
Click here to read newspaper article concerning former Detroit Piston Bill Laimbeer helping to raise funds for the stadium.
Click here to see photos of Bill Laimbeer at the fundraising dinner.
Click here to read newspaper article concerning University of Michigan Football Coach Bo Schembechler helping to raise funds for the stadium.
Click here to see photos of Bo Schembechler at the fundraising dinner.
Other Past Fundraisers:
February 26, 2011: Casino Trip & Dinner
November 18, 2010: Dinner Fundraiser at Doolittle's
November/December 2009: Players Club Charity Poker Fundraiser
2004-05-06-07: Bedford Alumni Basketball Game vs TV-13 All-Stars
2001-02-03-04-05-06-07: Reverse Raffle
2000 to present: Bedford High School Alumni Association Hall of Fame Also click here to see 2009 HOF announcement which will show a fund-rasing opportunity as a HOF sponsor.
1998: "Be A Part Of It Donor" Program
1997: Bedford Community Stadium Candy Bar
1996: Donor naming rights and donations. (Presentation Booklet, Card and Envelope)
Bedford Community Stadium Current Fundraising Efforts
Looking for a unique gift idea? Give a gift that will last forever and at the same time assist the BHS Alumni Association in raising funds to pay for your Bedford Community Stadium. Purchase a custom engraved brick or become a member of the “Million Dollar Club”. The BHS Alumni Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Your donations are 100% tax deductible. Click on the graphic at the left for details.
Click here to download and print a "Buy a Brick" Form.
We need your help! As many of you know, the Bedford High School Alumni Association is still paying on the note for the Bedford Community Stadium, which is the home field for the Bedford Mules football team. The current balance is $280,000 on the one million dollar loan. We are proud of our community and its reputation and that’s why in 1997 we decided to make the stadium our first special project that is now benefiting everyone who lives here. Please become part of one of the largest privately funded projects in the State of Michigan. Here is how you can “Be A Part Of It”:
1. “Community Rewards Card Program”. Marge and Norb Abel, owners of the Schoolhouse Lunchroom, have offered us an opportunity to raise some funds to help pay off the stadium loan. It is a new program called “Community Rewards Program”. Every time a person uses one of the special “rewards” cards that we issue at the Schoolhouse Lunchroom the Bedford High School Alumni Association will receive a percentage of the purchase. There is no cost for the card.
Another nice feature of this program is that you can "lend" your card to family and friends to use. Even though the card is activated in your name, other people can borrow your card and use it when they pay for their meal at the Schoolhouse Lunchroom. The more the card is used, the more the Alumni Association will benefit. Remember, every time the card is used with a payment, 10% of the bill will go to the Alumni Association to help pay off the stadium loan. Even if you do not live in the area you can still help by passing on this information to your family and friends that live in the Lambertville area. Please contact us if you would like a card.
The Schoolhouse Lunchroom is open M-F 8:00-5:30 & Saturday 8:00-3:00. They also offer take out orders. Here is their web site that lists daily menu specials: www.oldeschoolhousecommons.com Their complete menu is listed on the following web page: http://www.bedfordyes.com/BHSAlumniAssocAnnounceCurrentNews.htm
2. Purchase a custom engraved brick with your personal message. These bricks will pave a pathway of pride throughout the Community Stadium and will be a lasting reminder of the contributors. The bricks make a wonderful gift or memorial. The cost to purchase a brick is $100 for a 4”x 8” or $200 for an 8”x 8” brick. Click here to download a buy a brick form.
3. “Make A Pledge” to the Bedford Community Stadium over 5 years. Your name will be included on a plaque on the “Recognition Wall of Fame” (located at the east end of the stadium) with a pledge of $1,000 ($200 per year) or more. Click here to download a pledge form.
4. Become an active member of the Bedford High School Alumni Association. We are a group of BHS graduates and others who are interested in the well being of Bedford High School. We meet the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Bedford High School in Room B-6. No membership fee is required and membership is open to everyone whether you are a Bedford graduate or not. Click here to download a membership form.
5. Click here to download a printable copy of the current list of naming rights and advertising opportunities for Bedford Community Stadium. These new opportunities were announced January 2011.
Click here to download a printable copy of the "Bedford Community Stadium Clubs" form.
6. Volunteer to help with any of our fundraising activities.
If you would like more information on how you can “Be A Part of It” please contact us.
Bedford Community Stadium Photos
Stadium Model
Home Stands Visitor Stands
Bedford Track Photos: 1996
Location of current home stands looking west. Location of current visitor stands looking west.
West End East End
Construction Photos: 1996
Renovation of playing surface and installation of irrigation system.
Fundraising Dinner with Bill Laimbeer
Click here to read newspaper article concerning former Detroit Piston Bill Laimbeer helping to raise funds for the stadium.
Opening Night Photos
Click her to read the newspaper story about the opening of Bedford Community Stadium.
Fundraising Dinner with Bo Schembechler
Click here to read newspaper article concerning University of Michigan Football Coach Bo Schembechler helping to raise funds for the stadium.
1998 Stadium Dedication
