Finish the Field Campaign Launched

The Nooksack Valley High School turf field opened Sept. 11, its community-wide impact already reverberating across the Valley. But there’s still work to do.

Thanks to major grants and generous donors, the school district’s moving toward fully paying for the project without using the school budget or taxpayer dollars, but the funding isn’t yet complete. NV Schools aims to raise $250,000 to “finish the field.”

To help the district reach the goal, they’ve put it in football terminology. With every $25 representing one yard and every $250 equal to a first down, the school has a goal of attaining 1,000 first downs. Making that goal more attainable, the Whatcom Community Foundation has offered a $100,000 match in funding for every dollar the community raises for one year.

Finish the Field Donation Link

Every donor who gives at least $250 gets recognized on the campaign banner at the field through the 2027 season. Donors giving at least $5,000 gain permanent recognition on the donor sign beneath the scoreboard.

“We are all part of the Valley—and it’s our community working together that makes moments like this possible,” organizers of the campaign say. “Together, we can finish what we started and get our Pioneers over the goal line.”

The project builds a new turf football field painted with football, lacrosse and soccer lines, and provides a home for NV High School fall, winter (NV Schools has added girls flag football for 2026-27) and spring sports to practice and play all games at the high school. The school’s physical education program also gains more access to outdoor activities, especially in the fall and spring.

“Our students and the broader community now have access to a world-class outdoor facility year-round,” says Matt Galley, NV Schools superintendent. “Our youth programs will not have to travel to or rent facilities across the county in inclement weather and we hope this helps continue to build and increase access to our youth sports programs in football, soccer and lacrosse.”

The project supports football, lacrosse and soccer at all levels, and includes a new track surface to replace a 20-year-old track in need of replacement. The site will feature new areas for long jump, shot put and javelin.

NV Schools applied for and received a $1.2 million Community Outdoor Athletic Field grant through the state’s Recreation and Conservation Office in 2024. That started the turf field process. NV Schools also received $125,000 from the Mt Baker Rotary and roughly $900,000 in direct donations from individuals, businesses and groups throughout Whatcom County. The Whatcom Community Foundation provided a “recoverable grant,” allowing NV Schools to start construction without the full amount raised.

The Finish the Field campaign raises the final money needed to pay for the project without using any taxpayer dollars.