Volunteers sought for softball field renovation
News | Published on July 30, 2024 at 12:00pm EDT | Author: henningmaster
0Community work night set for July 31 to remove fencing in advance of restoration project
Photo by Chad Koenen
The Henning softball fields will get a bit of a makeover this summer to repair a broken fence, as well as fix the infield and outfield that are in a state of disrepair. The city is hosting a work night on Wednesday to remove the fencing and get the fields ready to be remodeled.
By Chad Koenen
Publisher
An expansive softball field restoration project is being planned for late summer and fall in Henning.
However, prior to rebuilding the softball fields, which includes reconfiguring two of the current softball fields, the community is being sought to tear down the last remnants of the aging fields.
On Wednesday, July 31, volunteers young and old are being sought to tear down fencing, cut wires, haul materials to trailers and a variety of other odd jobs to get the fields ready for Ottertail Aggregate to rework the fields. As part of the project, the actual dimensions of the softball fields will be changed a bit and new fencing will be installed by a professional company. The fields will also be redone with new agrilime and grass with the hopes of creating a new place for local youth to call home for another generation.
Over the past few years the softball fields have fallen into a state of disrepair as the fencing has begun to sag, and in some places, nearly fall over.
Ottertail Aggregate will be reconfiguring the fields and irrigation will be installed later this year to help and keep the outfields green throughout the summer. A number of grants and donations have been received to help fund the softball fields project, which includes several local and statewide grants.
Henning Police Chief Mike Helle, who has also helped to organize the softball field restoration project, said the work on July 31 should only take a few hours if enough volunteers show up that night. There will be things for volunteers to do, including everything from taking out the fence and posts, loading trailers with material and even helping serve a dinner that is being cooked by members of the Henning Lions Club.
Volunteers are being asked to meet at the Henning baseball field on July 31 at 6 p.m. and should bring a wire cutter if they have one, gloves and a positive work attitude.