By Kris Leonhardt

Editor

MARSHFIELD — The Marshfield School District will seek funding options for the proposed $10.5 million improvements to its athletic facilities.

The proposed improvements were the result of a comprehensive athletic facility study completed by the Rettler Corporation and furthered by the Marshfield School Board.

“After reviewing all of those items, the board determined to take what was called Phase 1, the baseball diamond and softball; Phase 2, the multisports complex; and Phase 5, the middle school needs, and group them into a project,” explained Marshfield School District Superintendent Dee Wells. “The others are equally valuable to the athletics and future athletics of the district, but this would then be called Phase 1 of the athletic project.

“When they added (those three phases) up, it came out roughly around $10.5 million, and that would be the total impact of all three put together.”

At the Feb. 8 meeting of the Marshfield School Board, a 6-0 vote, with Mark Konrardy absent, approved the recommendation to study funding options.

The vote was followed by a recommendation for the district to cover $3.5 million of funding, a $1-to-$2 match with the $7 million that would need to be privately raised.

“There would be some other attempt at talking to people within the community as to their desires to take on some of the funding for this project, and the district would match up to $3.5 million,” said Dale Yakaites, speaking on behalf of the Facilities, Safety, and Transportation Committee.

The board voted 5 to 1 in support of a $3.5 million financial commitment to the project. Mary Carney voted “no,” and Konrardy was absent.