Plus, our picks for holiday gifts.
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47º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:23 a.m. | Sunset: 5:07 p.m.
 

Digging the Crater

Stadium project at Wiley Magnet Middle and Reynolds High Schools is underway
aerial-view-construction-site
Once complete, the field and stadium will serve 2,500 students at two schools. | Photo courtesy of Home Field Advantage
A stadium that will allow students at RJ Reynolds High School and Wiley Magnet Middle School to practice + play at home is becoming a reality. In a 5-3 vote this week, the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education approved spending an additional $1.3 million on the stadium. Let’s take a look at the project that’s been more than a decade in the making.

The need

Student-athletes at the schools along Hawthorne Road and Northwest Boulevard have to travel to facilities around the district because they don’t have fields of their own. Parents and alumni who noticed the hardship it created for players, families, and fans formed Home Field Advantage (HFA) in 2012 — after Forsyth County Commissioners declined a school bond referendum to pay for a facility.

The nonprofit entered into a public-private partnership with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. It agreed to raise private money to fund the majority of the stadium — a project estimated to cost $10 million. HFA also fully funded the practice field on Reynolda Road that teams began using in 2015.

In 2022, school board members approved dedicating $2.1 million to the project and naming the stadium after longtime Reynolds coach Doug Crater. A groundbreaking for the M. Douglas Crater Field and Stadium was held in March 2022.

drawing-football-field

The field is adjacent to Hanes Park, between Wiley Middle and the Reynolds Auxiliary Gym.

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Rendering provided by Home Field Advantage

The project

Construction for the stadium will be completed over four phases. Stan Dean, who serves as the spokesperson for HFA, told City Editor Cambridge that the project is currently between Phases Two and Three — many details of those phases like grading, stormwater retention, and bleachers + lights are being done concurrently.

Phase Four of the project consists of building a press box and entrance to match the schools. HFA is still raising money for that phase.
See when the first kickoff is expected
 
Events
Thursday, Dec. 14
  • “Down Home Christmas” | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 7:30 p.m. | New Philadelphia Moravian Church, 4440 Country Club Rd., Winston-Salem | Free | Salem Band presents the first of two holiday concerts that will include Christmas memories from the public.
  • Stand-Up Comedy | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 7 p.m. | Radar Brewing Company, 216 E. 9th St., Winston-Salem | Free | Laugh along with two nationally touring comics and enjoy food and drinks.
  • Paw Crawl Year End Party | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 5-7 p.m. | Roar, 633 N. Liberty St., Winston-Salem | Free | Toast to pets and the people who love them with the final paw crawl of the year — well-behaved pets are welcome.
Friday, Dec. 15
  • ART CRUSH | Friday, Dec. 15 | Trade Street + 6th Street, Winston-Salem | Free | Check out works from 50 visual artists, see live performances, and find unique gifts at the last event of the year.
Saturday, Dec. 16
  • “A Muppet Christmas Carol” | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 3 p.m. | Marketplace Cinemas, 2095 Peters Creek Pkwy., Winston-Salem | Free | Bring at least two canned goods to benefit Samaritan Ministries then watch Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the muppets present a unique take on “A Christmas Carol” — registration required.
  • ChristmasFest | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Archie K. Davis Center, 457 S. Church St., Winston-Salem | Free | Hear holiday music, enjoy food from vendors, and shop from local artisans.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
News Notes
Arts
  • The 2024 Artist Support Grants will provide resources to 45 artists in five Piedmont counties, including 18 who live in Forsyth County. Grants totaling between $1,150 and $1,670 will help artists advance their careers in literature, film, dance, music, performing arts, visual arts + crafts, and spoken word.
Cause
  • Learn about the work of three local nonprofits and how to get involved at Bookmarks’ Community Partner Day today, Dec. 14. The event at the bookstore on West 4th Street is free to attend from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Listen
  • Students from Reagan High School will perform holiday music in City Hall (101 N. Main St.) today, Dec. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. as part of the 14th Annual Holiday Music Series. The East Forsyth High School chorus will perform tomorrow, Dec. 15.
Theater
  • The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem will hold auditions for its production of “Trouble in Mind” on Monday, Dec. 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Community members who are 18 years old and older can show up to 419 N. Spruce St. to try out for the comedy-drama — no appointment is needed. (Yes! Weekly)
Edu
  • The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education approved a local service longevity supplement for some district employees. The pay increases apply to workers on the Classified Salary Range + Skill-based pay schedules and will go into effect in January.
Environment
  • Salemtowne is installing solar electric panels on the roof of the Babcock Health Care Center. The panels will replace about 8% of electricity used in the senior living community’s facility.
Wellness
Correction
 
Shop

Our Editors’ picks for the 2023 holiday season
A watercolor patterned present image with blue florals.
Here’s what your local news team wants to unwrap this year. | Graphic by 6AMCity
We’re making our lists and checking them twice. Here are selections from local artists that we hope end up under the tree this year.

City Editor Cambridge’s picks

Rhododendron Sunset Print, $40 | “This landscape print has vibrant colors and is the perfect size for a small space on the wall.”

Spicewalla 18-Pack Collection, $84.99 | “My husband is the foodie of the family and seasons all our meals to perfection. This spice set has everything he needs — and the canisters’ design will make our pantry look much more organized.”

City Editor Kellina’s picks

Blaze Your Own Trail Trophy, $32 | “The symbol of the equestrian on a horse is a reminder that we make our own way in the world. Innovative — just like Winston-Salem.”

Explore More Bandana, $38 | “I love this because I love exploring new things to do around my city. This bandana reminds me to find the beauty in Winston-Salem and discover new things to do.”
Explore more editors' picks
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6AM City In-house
 
The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Cambridge
From the editor
I often hear the Reynolds marching band practicing from my house. I can’t wait to hear the cheers from Crater Stadium within the next year — but I know no one is more excited than the students who will get to welcome their opponents to their home turf after all these years.
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