By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — The formal ribbon cutting for McPherson High School’s new outdoor athletic facility took place Friday evening prior to a community pep rally to kick off the fall sports season.
A number of the amenities for the project were funded through private donations in the Fund the Field project. Committee member Andy Elliott said they had an initial goal of $1 million and they were able to raise $1,018,000 with just a few pledges to be made. With the additional funds, they were able to complete a few additional track enhancements, with one small one yet to complete.
Major components of the project included a scoreboard, field lighting, raised seating accommodating 1,000 people, the press box and a sound system. It also included a dual direction runways for jumping events, two throw areas for shot put and discus, and exchange zones on the track. The final project, for which about a third of funding has been raised, is a javelin runway.
On behalf of the Fund the Field Committee, Elliott also thanked the USD 418 Board of Education for their commitment to the project, allowing them to be a part of something our kids and community
Major donors for the project were also recognized during the ribbon cutting, including Doug and Kathy Unruh and their family who gave the largest single donation for the project. Doug Unruh did the actual ribbon cutting for the project.
Other major donors for the project include Midway Motors, CHS, Pfizer, Peoples Bank and Trust, the McPherson Optimist Club, Farmers Alliance, and Denise and Jim O’Connor-Munsey.
