A surprise sinkhole under the bleachers and track at St. Francis High School has shut down the school’s stadium area indefinitely, throwing summer plans for families and youth programs into scramble mode. The district says all the usual warm-weather activities that rely on the field are getting relocated while engineers figure out just how bad the damage is and what it will take to get things playable again before fall sports roll around.
St. Francis Area Schools confirmed the collapse and reported that the hole opened beneath the bleachers and the track, forcing an immediate closure of the entire stadium, according to KSTP. Community Education Director Chris Lindquist told the station that a section of the stormwater system failed, creating a void that sits “right next to one of the footings of the bleachers,” and that the district brought in a contractor to stabilize the area.
Why a stormwater failure can produce a sinkhole
The Minnesota Stormwater Manual notes that leaking or collapsed stormwater infrastructure can slowly wash away the soil that supports paved surfaces. When that underground support disappears, what is left on top can suddenly cave in, creating a cover-collapse sinkhole like the one at the stadium. The guidance recommends that known sinkholes be marked on site plans and that stormwater be routed away from active karst features to lower the odds of this kind of dramatic collapse.
Costs, timing and community impact
The district told KSTP that just fixing the stadium could cost seven figures, money the district does not currently have on hand. Officials also pointed out that voters rejected a two-question referendum in 2023, leaving the district with fewer straightforward local options to cover a major repair bill. In the meantime, summer practices and events are being shifted to other fields and facilities while engineers assess whether the track and field can realistically be brought back online before students return.
Next steps and where to get updates
District leaders say they will keep inspecting the site, coordinating with contractors and updating timelines as new engineering details come in. Families and event organizers can check the high school’s website for contact information and watch district communications for schedule changes. Stormwater work and related funding are also flagged as priorities in the City of St. Francis capital improvement plan for 2026 through 2030. For school contact details see St. Francis High School and the City of St. Francis CIP.
