As students at North Whidbey Middle School run around the track, they may have noticed two large machines clearing land next to their school last week.
The clearing makes way for a community softball field.
Corey Johnson, co-owner of Island Construction, said there was some free time for workers to spend the week clearing the field. That is the first of the community help needed to complete the softball field.
“I think it’s really neat that the community is coming together and making a softball field,†Johnson said.
The softball field replaces the one that used to be located on the current North Whidbey Middle School site. The school district, however, doesn’t have money to fund a softball field.
“We do not have the resources to put in a softball field,†said Bruce Worley, operations director for the Oak Harbor School District.
Without community volunteers, the softball field would have cost the school district approximately $240,000.
Worley said he will meet with local contractors to discuss how best to move forward with the project. He also wants to discuss ways to raise money to pay for materials with community groups that will use the community field.
Since the project will be completed using volunteer support, he could not speculate on when the softball field will be complete.
Worley said the biggest issue to resolve is how to purchase materials needed for drainage and irrigation.
While officials figure out how to complete the softball field, plans for the track replacement at North Whidbey Middle School are moving forward.
The Oak Harbor School District is accepting bids for the project. The school board is expected to award a bid during a meeting later this month.
Plans call for a competition quality track to replace the current one at North Whidbey Middle School.
If additional funding becomes available, some additions to accommodate field events such as shot put and javelin will be added.
Track construction is expected to begin in late June and be finished by the beginning of the next school year.
