Stands closed, game in doubt

Oak Harbor High School’s home football opener against Mount Vernon this Friday night was in serious jeopardy Tuesday afternoon when Superintendent of Schools Rick Schulte decided to close the stands for safety reasons.

Minutes before the News-Times went to press, Schulte was still trying to figure out if football fans would have to stand to watch the game, or if it would be moved to some nearby town like Anacortes or Mount Vernon.

“There will be a game but I don’t know where at,” Schulte said. It’s possible the game could be moved to Saturday if a field is unavailable Friday, he added.

Schulte made the decision to close the stands based on a verbal report from engineers who have been examining the stadium this week. “I have reason to believe there’s a possible hazard there,” Schulte said. “Forty percent of the wood planks are over-stressed, even the new ones.”

Schulte said there’s a good chance Memorial Stadium will be closed to football the entire season. He anticipates soccer games can still be played as they draw a smaller crowd. That decision will await a written report from the engineers.