HUMBOLDT — Humboldt school athletes wore out the old ditty “Rain, Rain Go Away” this spring in anticipation of a new sports complex delayed by inclement weather. THE COMPLEX is part of a longterm plan to locate all three schools — elementary, middle and high — on the east side of town.
But in short order, they will have a football field and softball and baseball infields featuring artificial turf and a rubberized all-weather track, all on part of a 59-acre tract at the east edge of town.
“It’s beautiful, something we’re really proud of,” said K.B. Criss, superintendent of USD 258 schools.
Criss said the artificial turf on all three fields sits atop layers of crushed rock that will carry rainwater to drains and make it possible to play immediately after a heavy rain. Outfields will be covered with thick grass; the softball field was sodded during spring break.
“We could have an eight-inch rain in an hour and still be able to play,” he said.
The softball field is within a whisker of being ready — as soon as sand and rubberized material are woven into the artificial turf. The baseball field is a couple of weeks behind, but with the recent spate of warm, dry weather it will take final shape quickly.
The two ball fields will be available this summer, for such things as weekend tournaments and in the years ahead may even permit Humboldt to attract state tournaments.
While esthetics and usability are strong pluses, Brad Piley, coach of Humboldt High’s state-qualifying softball team, noted another advantage.
“It will give kids in the area, in addition to ours, an opportunity to play on artificial turf, something you don’t find often in a rural area,” he observed.
Criss also is eager for Humboldt’s track and field athletes to be able to show their talents to local folks.
“We’ve never had anything other than a cinder (practice) track,” at the south edge of town that hasn’t been used for years, he said.
The all-weather track will be in easy view of a stadium with seating for 1,500 spectators.
“There will be 1,000 seats on the home side, with 400 chair-back seats, and 500 on the visitors’ side,” Criss noted, with their use more to the point for football games.
The first home varsity game on the new field, with an imposing orange Cub print at the 50-yard line, will be the third game of the season against Neodesha.
Through the years the district has squirreled away money — about $2 million by last year — to build the fields and support facilities, including a 9,000-square-foot building for lockers, concession and storage.
The trigger was Joe and Jane Works deeding 59 acres to the district, just outside of Humboldt’s city limit to the east. The sport complex occupies the south part of the tract, the north part will be held in abeyance for when new schools are deemed necessary.
“That might be 15, 20 or 30 years from now,” Criss said, but whenever the time is right a site won’t be a concern.
In addition to providing land, the Workses, who own B&W Trailer Hitches and often take steps to benefit the community, provided some resources for construction, such as equipment. Monarch Cement Company also lent a hand, as did the city with infrastructure.
“Monarch owns Capital Concrete, in Topeka, and that’s where the split-face blocks and some other materials came from,” Criss said. “That’s really added to the esthetics of the complex, made it look a lot better. Like what you’d expect to see in a larger city.
“We’ve tried to keep construction under $2 million, except for lights, and we’ve caught some breaks that’s made that possible,” Criss said. “Of course, we’ve had surprises, too, but all in all we’ve met our goals.”
Double E Construction, LaHarpe, owned by Don Emerson, installed artificial turf, a skill the company’s crew honed in similar projects for Lawrence High School and several out-of-state colleges and high schools.
The complex will be a boon to the local economy, Criss said.
“We now have facilities that qualify us to host state-level (school) tournaments and I can see the day when we could have a Babe Ruth (baseball) state tournament in Humboldt,” he said.
The new complex makes Humboldt’s sports facilities complete. Several years ago a fieldhouse was constructed just south of the high school. The district also is eligible to host post-season competition with its two regulation gymnasiums.
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