Restroom plans underway

The Sunrise Rotary Soccer Field could see major upgrades thanks to Lakeland High School Athletic Director Matt Neff and the school’s Booster Club.

“I want Lakeland schools to have the best facilities,” Neff said. “I want our young ladies, when they go out there and they have to use the restroom, to have facilities.”

Sunrise, home field for many Lakeland competitions, is located at Lakeland Middle School. It doesn’t have a permanent bathroom facility and students have been using portable toilets for years when they compete there.

Middle school students can sometimes access the middle school during games, but high school students don't have that option.

That could change, with the community poised to help build permanent bathroom facilities and even concession stands at the fields.

The city of Rathdrum waived permit and construction costs, and businesses have donated architectural plans and some supplies to build the bathrooms.

“I am really proud of the work our activities director has done on behalf of the school and the community,” said Lakeland Superintendent Lisa Arnold. “The permanent bathrooms at the soccer field are one example of the community coming together to improve the facilities over the past two years.”

Kootenai Technical Education Campus Director Colby Mattila said KTEC students will do the construction when all supplies are gathered.

“Anything we can do to help, we’re happy to get involved," Mattila said.

But Neff needs more supplies, including steel, rebar, concrete, lumber, roofing materials and doors.

Neff is a Lakeland graduate, his children are students there and he wants them and others to have access to bathrooms.

"It is my responsibility to look at our school and do everything I can to make our students succeed. And our facilities are part of that," Neff said.

Teams from Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene are often surprised when there are no bathroom facilities, Neff said.

“They ask, ‘Where’s the bathroom?’ and we send them over to a portable that's 100 degrees, and then they can’t wash their hands," Neff said.

LHS athletics staff members are trying to get the word out that the project needs materials to move forward.

People can donate or pledge materials on the school’s website, or contact Neff, mneff@lakeland272.org.