Spruce Up Austin Inc.

Tuesday, September 19, 2000

Spruce Up Austin Inc. members heard about the proposed $4.2 million Wescott Athletic Field project last week.

John O’Rourke, a former Austin mayor, and Larry Andersen, a member of the Austin Board of Education, made a presentation Thursday on the proposed renovation of the historic athletic field in west Austin.

According to O’Rourke and Andersen, the project will be done in three phases, possibly beginning next spring.

Among the highlights of the proposed plans are a new nine-lane running track, additional soccer fields and tennis courts and major rehabilitation of the Packers football stadium, including locker rooms.

Plans call for two main entrances along Oakland Avenue West and Fourth Avenue NW.

The excavation for the new athletic fields should cost $1.2 million with construction of the sports facilities and another $2.159 million needed for equipment.

According to O’Rourke, the Hormel Foundation has agreed to continue a $100,000-per-year contribution for another 10 years. The foundation was a major contributor from the public sector in the renovation of Austin High School and other Austin Public Schools facilities in the early 1990s.

O’Rourke also said fund-raising is proceeding and the Austin Eagles Aerie has committed $12,000 toward the project.

All residents of the Austin Public School District will receive a mailing soliciting funds and AHS alumni also are targeted for a direct mail solicitation.

A recent $25,000 grant from the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission also will assist school district officials.

The formal fund-raising campaign will be launched Oct. 13, when the Packers celebrate their football homecoming.

When O’Rourke and Andersen finished with their presentation, Spruce Up Austin members had questions.

No one opposed the ambitious plans, but the community betterment group’s members inquired whether school district officials would set aside monies for maintenance and upkeep as well as landscaping a facility that will be such a focal point of the community.

"I have maintenance concerns," said Bonnie Mogen, a business owner. "I think that when you build something as grand as this, the possibility is that you could let it go and not maintain it properly. It has happened before."

Gretchen Ramlo, another business owner, agreed with Mogen that proper maintenance of such a public facility would be tantamount to its lasting appreciation.

O’Rourke replied, "Hiring a couple of extra custodians should do the job."

Mike Ruzek, president of Spruce Up Austin, pressed the pair for landscaping plans, but none were detailed. O’Rourke did give Ruzek his assurance: "I’m sure we can do that."