Greenwood Softball Association diamond gets $60,000 facelift
The softball diamond at George Scherer Athletic Park in Greenwood has a spruced-up look this summer now that an approximately $60,000 upgrade project is completed. The field is surrounded now by completely new fencing, and has new concrete-floor, roofed dugouts, and two feet of new sand on the infield.
The Greenwood Softball Association had been saving funds for multiple years with an eye on the improvements. The project came to fruition beginning last fall when old chain-link fencing was removed and replaced with an all-new fence. Sand was hauled in to bring the field up to dugout floor level. This spring, the new dugouts were installed with all new concrete floors and metal roofs overhead.
The field has not gone through any major renovations since around 1970, according to current Softball Association leaders. It is used several nights each week for a men’s softball league and youth baseball programs, and each spring is the home field for the Greenwood/Loyal high school softball team. The annual Lion’s Club Little League baseball and Clark County 4-H softball tournaments have also been played there for years.It also hosts an annual July 4 weekend men’s softball tournament, which will be held this year for the 50th time from July 2-4. The annual community fireworks will follow the last game on Sunday evening.
The improvement project was funded in various ways, with financial and volunteer labor help from multiple sources.
TC Fence gave the Association a break on its pricing. Tim and Jeni Raese donated all the sand to raise the infield level 24 inches.
Clark Electric Cooperative and the city of Greenwood helped with equipment and trucking. Braun Concrete donated material for the dugouts, and LBR Construction provided labor.
In addition to Softball Association funds, other financial donations came from Forward Bank and the Greenwood School district. The city also contributed $5,000 from its parks and recreation budget.
Forward Bank in Greenwood gave a big boost to the Greenwood Softball Association’s field improvement project with a $20,000 donation. Forward Bank Office Manager Sarah Shaw (right) presented the ceremonial check to Softball Association President Jenny Halopka.
STAFF PHOTO
Heavy equipment was on the Greenwood softball diamond last fall as volunteers spread enough new sand to raise the infield height by two feet.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
