$4.5 million has been pledged in the first in five months
OnFocus – Great schools are one of the things that make Marshfield a wonderful place to live and allows local businesses to attract quality employees. Marshfield takes great pride in being one of the highest performing districts in the state. The Marshfield Community Athletic Facilities project has been a topic of discussion within the District and the community for well over a decade.
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. The high school has not hosted an (outdoor) track meet for a decade and the facilities are well past their time.
Related:
School District Committed to Middle School Sports Facilities Upgrades
A committee of private citizens and district staff are leading a community capital campaign to raise seven million dollars. The committee announced to the School Board that approximately $4.5 million has been pledged in the first in 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 2:1 challenge match –up to $3.5 million for this project.
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 multi-purpose fields and a new track at the Middle School that includes a community recreational area. These facilities will be used every year by thousands of students and the entire community.
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 School District and campaign volunteers thank the many donors who have made visionary gifts to successfully launch these efforts. 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.
“We are thrilled with the start of this campaign and the generosity of so many businesses and individuals,” added Brad Haessly, “but we know the public phase is the most critical to the success of this campaign.”
Legacy naming opportunities remain and gifts of all amounts are greatly appreciated. For additional information, visit the District website at http://www.marshfieldschools.org/AthleticFacilities or contact Nathan DeLany, Athletic Director, at 715-387-8464.
-Submitted to FOCUS by School District of Marshfield
