Neveln Elementary School parents and volunteers heard the scoop Monday behind a proposed dome for Art Hass Stadium as Austin Public Schools and Vision 2020 officials sought to explain the project.

Laura Helle, Vision 2020’s director of vision creation, and Austin Superintendent David Krenz explained the details behind a proposed $5 million project to put two artificial turf fields and a seasonal dome over the stadium at Wescott Athletic Complex this year.

The dome project, announced in November, drew much attention from the community. The dome is part of a larger community recreation center project intended to meet community needs. The domed field can be used for soccer, softball and baseball practices along with a few softball and soccer games.

The project will be paid for using $2.5 million from Austin Public School reserves, as well as contributions from the Hormel Foundation and a community campaign.

Krenz told Neveln’s parent-teacher committee the money is from a $3 million internal services fund, in essence a contingency fund, the district built up several years ago to pay for various unexpected needs. The district, a longtime partner with Vision 2020, worked with volunteers last fall to put the project together.

“We looked at what Vision 2020 has done and believed they did their due diligence,” he said.

District officials are researching what kind of turf to put in after several residents voiced concerns about the turf’s infill. Infill made from tires has become controversial as some say it could be cancerous.

Krenz acknowledged the debate and said the district is also looking at alternatives, including infill made from old shoes and coconuts.

The Hormel Foundation is set to approve funds for the project later this month, while the Austin Public Schools Board will approve the project in February. From there, the district will start construction this spring, wrap up by the fall and have the dome ready next winter.

Becky Hanegraaf, a Neveln PTC member, was pleased with the dome presentation.

“It’s nice to hear them explain the funding behind it,” she said.

District staff will maintain the dome, which will likely be paid off through rental fees from organizations looking to use the facility. The district estimates the dome will take about $30,000 to put up and take down each year, but Krenz said the district may get a discount if the board is willing to hire enterprising local groups to do it as a fundraiser.

Krenz said local sports leagues and other groups have already approached the district about renting the facility next year.