Castle Rock School District’s wrestling teams will soon have a dedicated place to call their own. Thanks to district funding and overwhelming community support, the new wrestling facility at the North County Sports & Recreation Complex is set to open just in time for the first practice of the season. What began as a long-held dream is now a reality, made possible by the collective efforts of local businesses, volunteers, and the community.
Leading the charge is Castle Rock High School’s head wrestling coach, Kyle Godinho, who took over the position from his father, Joe Godinho, after 40 years of service.
In support of its sports programs, the school district allocated $30,000 each for the wrestling room and new batting cages for the baseball and softball teams. While this covered part of the construction, the majority of supplies and labor for the wrestling facility were donated, spurred by fundraising efforts and word of mouth. Coach Godinho volunteered countless weekends at the site, often joined by other committed volunteers.
“This wrestling room is the manifestation of fundraising efforts and countless volunteer hours to provide a dedicated practice area for wrestlers from kindergarten through 12th grade,” said Judy Bair, wife of the late Jim Bair, who founded the wrestling program at Castle Rock High School and coached the team for many years. “We are excited to give our student-athletes this opportunity!”
The complex, which spans 72 acres of school district-owned land, also features a pavilion completed in 2020, primarily constructed by volunteers. The pavilion, capable of hosting weddings and special events, is the latest addition to the complex, following the batting cages built in 2015. Landscaping, designed by Castle Rock’s Bloom Team, is expected to be completed this winter.
North County’s annual auction and concession sales fund the complex, making the community-driven construction of the wrestling facility a remarkable testament to Castle Rock’s spirit.
Excitement is building among Coach Godinho’s wrestlers, who currently practice in the high school cafeteria, where they must set up and tear down mats before and after each session. The new facility will save valuable time and provide a consistent practice space.
The building is on track for mat installation this fall, allowing the team to use it when their season begins. In addition, Coach Godinho plans to open the facility in the off-season for youth clubs, offering Castle Rock youth a chance to develop their wrestling skills, and ensuring the facility’s upkeep.
Dozens of individual volunteers, including high school students, donated their time to make this project possible. A heartfelt thank you goes to everyone who made this project possible. Without your dedication, this space for our athletes wouldn’t exist.
Coach Godinho and the entire Castle Rock School District community are grateful to the following local businesses that donated labor, materials, and support. Your contributions have been crucial in making this new wrestling facility a reality.
Sierra Pacific Denali HVAC Advanced Electrical Technologies
Steelscape Christensen Plumbing Columbia Groundwork
Dax Electric NessCampbell Crane Greener Futures Electrical
Smart Doors Mt. St. Helens Motel 4 Corners Farm & Garden
