A project to upgrade a local high school’s athletic facilities is rounding first base.
The St. Joseph School Board on Monday took the next step toward a complete overhaul of the high school baseball and softball fields at Dickinson Park, approving a contract with engineering firm Abonmarche on the final design, bidding and construction administration services for the project.
Superintendent Jenny Fee said the project will cost the district $1.5 million, and was made possible through an anonymous donation to the St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation. Fee also clarified that most of the work will begin after the 2023 baseball and softball seasons are complete.
“There is going to be a complete overhaul,” Fee said. “Some of the field work has already begun, but it’s just basic pieces. … We don’t want to rip up the whole field, because it wouldn’t be done in time for this season.”
Per an agreement with the city of St. Joseph – which owns the property Dickinson Park is on – the school will be responsible for the field upgrades, as well as the dugouts and press boxes. The total cost for the district is $1.5 million, which has been donated anonymously to the St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation.
The city will be responsible for the bathroom, playground and parking lot renovations. Officials have said the fields will be done in time for the 2024 season, with the city improvements slated to be completed in 2025.
By Ryan Yuenger
ryany@wsjm.com
