Irvine district settles lawsuit

The Irvine Unified School District and a local community group have settled a lawsuit over the district’s plans to build a second stadium, paving the way for construction of the long-anticipated facility at University High School, according to a news release issued by the district Friday.

Under the terms of the agreement reached Thursday between the school district and the group known as Responsible Land Use First, a stadium advisory committee will be established to generate input from community members and other district stakeholders. In addition, the district has agreed to pay litigation expenses.

“We are extremely pleased to resolve this suit, allowing our district to finally move forward with construction of an eagerly awaited second district stadium,” said Sue Kuwabara, president of the school district Board of Education, in a news release. “This beautiful facility will be a great benefit to our students, as well as the entire Irvine community, for years to come.”

The high school’s principal, John Pehrson, also expressed excitement upon learning that the stadium was another step closer to reality, noting that all students in Irvine will benefit, according to the news release.

“This was made possible through huge community support and a school board that always puts the needs of students first,” Pehrson said. “We look forward to our first game, and we plan to celebrate with all who will join us.”