April 16, 2018 at 1:03 p.m.
District committee hears update on possible softball fields
District committee hears update on possible softball fields
DeMeyer's goal of building new softball fields took a micro step forward April 9 as the School District of Rhinelander's Capital Projects ad hoc committee listened to a status update on a plan to potentially locate two new fields on district property, before tabling the matter until the cost of a feasibility study on the proposal can be determined.
The ad hoc committee scheduled another meeting for last night, which concluded after deadline, to hear more.
Last Monday, DeMeyer said he and his supporters have raised roughly $150,000 toward the project through monetary and in-kind donations. However, district Director of Business Service Marta Kwiatkowski said the total bill for two fields could be more than twice that amount depending on where the fields are situated and how much work is required to ensure proper drainage.
Committee members indicated if the project eventually comes to fruition, if would be have to be funded mostly or entirely through private monies.
"I'm still fighting, still pushing and we've still got some life left," DeMeyer said after the meeting. "We're still moving along and, hopefully, we can come back with some positive numbers."
At present, the RHS softball team utilizes city of Rhinelander parks for its practices and games, with the varsity team practicing at Pioneer Park and the junior varsity practicing at West Side Park. DeMeyer said a two-field location would allow the teams to practice and play at the same location at the same time and allow the team to host multi-team tournaments. The configuration would also allow the Rhinelander Little League softball program to use the fields during the summer.
Kwiatkowski, district supervisor of plant operations Jeff Zdroik and RHS activities director Brian Paulson, presented the committee with four possible locations for the fields based on survey drawings. Three of the options would position the fields in the large clearing between RHS and Mike Webster Stadium, where the RHS junior varsity baseball field and practice football field currently sit. The other option would place the fields in front of the high school, adjacent to the RHS varsity tennis courts, where a soccer field currently sits.
Placing the fields next to Mike Webster Stadium would take advantage of a new restroom and concession facility that is currently under construction, however that portion of the district property has been slow to drain in the past during the spring thaw.
Paulson said he recognizes that issue but also sees an opportunity to model RHS sports facilities after the Northland Pines' athletic complex. The Eagle River high school has its track, football and soccer fields, and baseball and softball diamond in one central location that is serviced by a single building that houses concessions and restrooms.
"You look at Northland Pines, they have a beautiful facility there where they have everything in the same location," Paulson told the committee. "Instead of us having port-a-potties and things like that. We're trying to weigh our options, but we're not sure of how much storm sewer and drain tile we will need in the back."
The storm sewer and erosion control could run as much as $52,000 per field, according to an estimate Kwiatkowski got from Point of Beginning, which surveyed the land for the district. She cautioned, however, the numbers quoted were a "worst-case scenario."
"We don't know if this is going to be needed," she said. "If it isn't needed, the price could be much lower, depending on the elevation of the field."
Kwiatkowski said a site grading plan, at a cost of approximately $1,500, could determine how much drainage work need to be done. Committee chairman Mike Roberts suggested a full feasibility plan, complete with conceptual drawings, would help the board determine a location and provide more concrete information to potential donors.
"With a study that shows that it can be done and a conceptual drawing, you can take the $150,000 in donations they already have committed and potentially go out there and raise more money," he said. "That's one thing I've seen with the (Hodag Schools) Foundation. By us doing a feasibility study it shows that the district would have a willingness to potentially do this project. They've already shown willingness by the community through donations that there's a need for it and people are ready to put private money into it."
"The big piece of this is being able to fund it privately through donations," Roberts added. "To be able to do that, we have to have a location and we have to have a conceptual design. I think that's something we can, or maybe should, do to keep progress moving forward."
DeMeyer initially hoped to put a second softball diamond next to the existing one at Pioneer Park but was met with opposition from other groups and organizations that use the venue. The proposal was rejected by the Rhinelander City Council on a 6-2 vote back in December 2016.
After Monday's meeting, DeMeyer said he was confident he could raise more funds for the project, if necessary, although he characterized some of the estimates presented as the meeting as "overboard."
"I think we can cut some corners there and still have a very nice field and facility," he said. "I think it all depends on the drainage system. That's what's holding it (up)."
Committee member Duane Frey suggested the panel table the discussion until further information is gathered. Roberts directed Kwiatkowski and Zdroik to work with Point of Beginning to determine how much a feasibility study would cost the district.
"We know the survey cost, but it's a lot more than just the survey. We need to know what's the cost - whether it's $10,000, $5,000 or $15,000 - then we'll know what we're taking to the full board if we decided to move forward," he said.
DeMeyer said he would be waiting eagerly to hear a report regarding the feasibility study, but said he's turned his primary attention to his team - which has yet to play a game this spring due to wintry conditions.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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