School board waits on committee feedback for baseball field project

School board members want input from a committee comprised of administrators and people affiliated with sports activities to get a better understanding of what a new baseball field construction project might look like for the Newton community and the district as a whole.

Newton Superintendent Tom Messinger wanted some direction or consensus from school board members on May 23 before meeting with the committee. So far, the people on the committee include: Messinger, Scott Bauer, Ray Whipple, Jason Chance, Ed Ergenbright, Darin Tisdale and Ryan Rump.

Currently, the baseball field used by Newton Cardinals is damaged, which it sustained from storm winds in March. The field is located at Woodland Park and is owned by the city. Earlier in May, the Newton school board was presented two options: either renovate the existing field or construct a new diamond.

Rachelle Hines, a partner with FRK Architects + Engineers, estimated it would cost roughly $807,000 to renovate the field, while building new would cost more than $2 million. If built new, the field would likely be located due south of the softball field parking lot near H.A. Lynn Stadium.

If the school board wanted to renovate the existing field, Hines said it is perfectly feasible to be finished by next baseball season.

However, that timeline does not include any sod or turf replacement. Building a new field would be difficult and expensive. Unlike the renovation option, the installation of a sod or seeded field would not be ready by next baseball season, Hines said. Cardinals would have to wait until the 2024 season to use the field.

Using synthetic turf as the new field surface could speed up that process. Hines said it is possible the field could be completed by mid- or late May 2023. This would allow some games to be played on the new field. But it costs more. The price for turf, Hines said, would add about $500,000 to the construction estimate.

In addition to giving the school district its own baseball field to manage and maintain, the construction of a new diamond could bode well for the community.

Chris Ford, president of Newton Little League Baseball, said during open forum the opportunity to install a turf baseball field is something the community could really use. Ford liked the idea of having the diamond near the softball field, which he hoped would allow fans to interact between the two sports.

“It’s a great facility, a great location over there by the high school field as well,” Ford said. “As the president of Little League, we’re trying to get more kids involved, trying to get more people to show up for practices and games to volunteer. I think a new baseball field with an all-turf field would be great.”

Ford believes the field could spur interest in youth sports and allow baseball teams to have practices earlier in the year. As soon as the snow melts, Ford said athletes can get out on the field and play. He also said the field could kickstart the creation of a middle school baseball team.

Still, Ford acknowledged some people are worried about the field taking over space utilized by other community sporting teams for practices.

“I know there’s concern about soccer being out there,” Ford said, referencing the proposed location of the new field, which is used by local soccer teams for practices. “There are a lot places in Newton to practice soccer, to play soccer. (There are) a lot of open grass fields that can be used.”

Newton News previously contacted Kendall Miller, president of Newton Area Soccer Association, about the proposed project. Miller said it “would be bad news” for the organization if the soccer fields across the parking lot disappear, and he questioned where soccer teams would practice when H.A. Lynn is full.

The initial discussion with the district’s engineering firm on May 3 indicated the use of synthetic turf could allow for some soccer teams to practice in the outfield.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext 6560 or at cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com