New bleachers installed, plus a new facility to be used as team rooms and, soon, concessions was built inside Kiggins Bowl
It is quite a wonder for a senior to be able to play in the new Kiggins Bowl.
A coach who has been leading his team at Kiggins for 19 seasons loves the new space.
And a man who played at Kiggins years ago and has been working at the bowl for a decade now is amazed at how much the venue has changed.
The newly renovated Kiggins Bowl hosted its first varsity football game Saturday afternoon. It opened to rave reviews.
Part of the project started a few years back — the new broadcast press box opened two seasons ago. This year, though, the new bleachers have been installed on the “home” side. And safer, metal bleachers have been installed on the “visitor” side. And then there is the new building north of the end zone, with spacious team rooms and, soon, a concession stand.
“It is a beautiful facility,” said Skyview senior Ty Evans. “I thank everyone who contributed to it, paid for it.”
That would be the voters, who approved a bond in 2017 that led to a construction boom all over Vancouver Public Schools properties.
“Super dope,” Evans said. “New turf. New stands. New locker rooms. New concessions. It’s beautiful out here.”
Technically, Saturday’s game was a Columbia River home game. The Rapids’ own stadium renovation is expected to be ready for fans next week. This week? For the annual Skyview game? Administrators felt Kiggins would be better for the crowd.
Skyview would pull away from River 41-13.
And Skyview is one of the teams that calls Kiggins Bowl home.
For years, Skyview coach Steve Kizer has been bringing his teams to Kiggins, squeezing them into tiny locker rooms that a basketball team might find cozy. So many halftimes with players in those lockers “under” the concrete bleachers while coaches huddled outside to go over adjustments.
Now, the team rooms have been constructed for teams as big as, well, football teams.
“It’s a great facility,” Kizer said. “We finally have a place where we can bring the team in and talk to them. It’s like a regular old stadium now. I think it’s a better place for the fans, too. I think they did a great job.”
JaQuan Kelly-Thomas is a 2013 graduate of Fort Vancouver High School. He played football in the bowl.
“Seeing the new locker rooms, it’s a 180 from when I was a player,” Kelly-Thomas said. “I’m loving it.”
Since graduating, Kelly-Thomas has been a staple at Kiggins Bowl. First as a ticket taker, and ever since as the game manager at the venue.
That means he is there early to set up the field, the press box, and to be on-hand for whatever needs arise. He is there long after whatever contest is being played at the stadium comes to an end. Pretty much a first-one-there, last-to-leave job.
“Watching it grow from what it used to be to what it is now, it’s looking really nice,” Kelly-Thomas said.
The Kiggins Bowl scoreboard has logos from all four VPS high schools that compete in athletics. Again, Columbia River will return to its campus for home games. (But could return to Kiggins for playoff games.) Then there are Fort Vancouver, Hudson’s Bay, and Skyview..
Fort Vancouver and Hudson’s Bay host games in a Week 3 doubleheader at Kiggins for their home debuts in the stadium.
While Skyview played there Saturday, its first official home game at Kiggins will be in Week 4, Sept. 23 against Kamiak.
The venue still has that historic look. It was, after all, built in the 1930s. But it has a fresh look, and a new vibe.
“Thank God we’ve got something new, because it was really crappy,” Evans said with a laugh.
Not anymore, Ty.
Not anymore.
Also read:
- The Study of Sports Podcast March 13, 2026: We discuss the state basketball tournaments, the incredible run from Columbia River boys, the state placing for Evergreen girls, and more
Reporter Paul Valencia and sports administrators Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland discuss a series of subjects around the WIAA’s state basketball tournaments, plus we get into some Mariners baseball talk and NFL free agency/trade cancellations - Falcon Baseball Academy to host inaugural Extra-Innings Bazaar & Market at Prairie High School
Prairie High School’s Falcon Baseball Academy will host its first Extra-Innings Bazaar & Market on May 2, inviting local vendors and community members to support the school’s baseball program and student activities. - Trophy games: Columbia River boys finish fifth, Evergreen girls take sixth at state tournaments
Columbia River’s boys and Evergreen’s girls both reached the final day of their state basketball tournaments, returning to Vancouver with fifth- and sixth-place trophies. - High school state basketball: Columbia River suffers heartache in overtime loss in semifinals
Columbia River’s run to the Class 2A semifinals ended on a buzzer-beater in overtime, while Evergreen advanced to a trophy game and several other Clark County teams wrapped up their state tournament seasons. - Pro basketball: Vancouver Bears set to debut new name in new league
Vancouver’s professional basketball franchise has rebranded as the Vancouver Bears and will open its season in a new league March 7 at Hudson’s Bay High School.
