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$2 million Fruth Field upgrades proposed
Fond du Lac School Board is eyeing a project that would provide $2 million in upgrades to Fruth Memorial Athletic Field.
Board members went over a site plan from Rettler Corp. during a workshop Monday night that includes artificial turf for the playing field, an amphitheater, new lighting systems and a scoreboard with sound upgrades for the athletic complex on West Ninth Street.
The field would also be enlarged and prepared so it could be used for soccer games, with a $10,000 center logo. Estimated costs for preparing the field come in at almost $938,000.
Funding for the expansive plan would follow the same process as when the $1.1 million entrance way to the Fond du Lac School District’s athletic complex was added in 2013. Funds to cover the costs are expected to come from community donations, said Superintendent James Sebert, but the project would initially be paid for by taking the money from the school district’s fund balance, to be recouped gradually as donations come in.
Sebert said about $450,000 still needs to be raised to pay back the 2013 Fruth Field building project that added two plazas, concessions stands, a retail area for Fondy Cardinal gear and new restrooms. Naming rights for various portions are available for a price. A $500,000 anonymous donation funded a major portion of those enhancements.
“Ideally, we would begin this (new) project this summer if we could gain the needed pledge amounts from community supporters,” Sebert said. “In my mind, the key to raising more money for the building project is having more people benefit from the use of Fruth. These upgrades would dramatically increase the amount of use for community and district events.”
Enhancements would provide a formal seating area to watch musical performances; a community pavilion for fans, teams and community events; and a community walking track. Enhanced lighting would be moved behind the bleachers. Cost for the amphitheater/plaza comes in around $139,000.
Because the field would be enlarged to accommodate soccer, the track would be removed, according to the plan.
Fruth Athletic Field was dedicated on Nov. 6, 1941, to Ed Fruth, athletic director and coach at Fond du Lac High School.