By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The Niles High School concession stand has a new look.
After a long summer of remodeling, repainting and adding new features, the concession stand on the home side of Viking stadium is complete and will be ready for use at this weeks home football game against Marshall.
The new stand was made possible by the Niles Athletic Boosters Club, as monies raised from donations and other funds were used to finish the project.
"We came through and gutted everything," said Alan Cramer, president of the Niles Athletic Booster Club.
"New electric and plumbing were put in, new cabinets, new flooring, the walls were repainted inside and out and thanks to Greg and Robin O'Toole, we have two Viking heads painted on the outside."
Cramer also said a new pretzel machine was added and should be a big hit this season.
Cramer said the goal was to make things more convienient for everyone.
Before, things were crowded in the concession stand, making it hard to work around everyone.
"The stand is used for a lot of things other than just home football games. Rocket Football uses it on Saturdays and Relay For Life and the Band Boosters use it as well, so this will benefit a lot of people," Cramer added.
He added people should come out and take a look at the work that has been done, as Niles will host three home football games in a row.
"It wouldn't have been done without the help of everyone involved," Cramer said, as he wanted to thank Roy Pingle, Dave Fisher, Jeff Cramer, the O'Toole's, Dan Rodts and all Booster Club members.
The Niles Athletic Booster Club is a not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to assist the athletic programs of Niles High School by raising and administering funds to enhance and promote the spirit of the student athletes.
Funds are raised by operating concession stands at home events, membership dues, the Booster Fest (raffle and dinner) and other fundraisers throughout the school year.
The Booster Club provides patches and plaques for varsity athletes, an end of the year Senior Recognition Banquet, away game meals, scholarships and, since 1998, has helped with the purchasing of more than $100,000 of athletic equipment for various sports.
If you're interested in supporting Boosters and becoming a member, the Club meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the high school cafeteria.