Complex to be named in honor of Kenneth and Ardyce Heiting

For Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD – A committee of private citizens and district staff are leading a community capital campaign to raise $7 million for the improvement of the Marshfield School District athletic facilities.

The committee announced to the school board, Feb. 14, that approximately $4.5 million has been pledged in the first five months. The campaign is now entering the public phase to raise the remaining funds needed for the project.

The School District has agreed to a 2 to 1 challenge match – up to $3.5 million – for this project.

While the District takes pride in maintaining its facilities, major improvements have not taken place since 1968 – the year the new high school was built – and the high school has not hosted an (outdoor) track meet for a decade.

The athletic facility plans include a new multi-use sports complex with artificial turf at the high school for football, soccer, and track and field that will seat 4,000; a new baseball diamond on the property west of the high school; a new softball diamond on the Madison Elementary School campus; and renovated multipurpose fields and a new track at the Marshfield Middle School that includes a community recreational area.

Brad and Kendra Haessly, Terry Frankland, and Len Luedtke Sr. are co-chairs of the campaign committee. They are assisted by many other community leaders, including Kurt and Ann Boson, and have the strong support of the Marshfield Tiger Booster Club, led by Ashley Fredrick and Mike Trudeau.

All funds are held at the Marshfield Area Community Foundation.

The high school athletic complex will be named in honor of Kenneth and Ardyce Heiting, who provided the lead gift to the campaign.

“Kenneth and I feel we have been very blessed living in the Marshfield Community,” stated Ardyce Heiting, “and we are pleased to support this project that will benefit so many area students and families for generations to come.”

The committee continues to solicit corporations, individuals, and alumni to reach the remaining goal.