Volunteer baseball group donates dugouts to Clearview fields; district accepts permanent improvements

Representatives of the Clear Lake Area Youth Baseball Association told the St. Cloud Public School District board on March 12 that volunteers and donors financed new dugouts and other recent improvements at the Clearview ball fields, and that the association will gift permanent structures to the district.

Joel Heitkamp, executive director of operations, introduced Marty Sayer and Heather Helmrick of the Clear Lake Area Youth Baseball Association (CLBA). Heather Helmrick, CLBA president and a parent of district students, said the volunteer organization has partnered with Clearview and the district since 2003 and operates four ballfields used March through August.

Helmrick said the association raised funds for two sets of dugouts (a home and opponent dugout for two fields) at a structure cost of about $20,000. She said the Clear Lake Lions and Clearwater Lions Club each donated $10,000 toward the project. The association is also fundraising to replace player benches and hopes to add seasonal tarps for shade; Helmrick said long‑term goals include adding dugouts to additional fields.

Marty Sayer described ongoing field maintenance arrangements with local partners and noted the organization does not own the land. “We realize as a baseball organization we don't own this property. So this is—we've got to gift it to you. So it's a permanent thing there now,” he said, describing the dugouts as improvements that will become district property.

Board members asked about spectator bleachers; CLBA representatives said existing bleachers are in poor condition and that parents commonly bring folding chairs. CLBA estimated 80–100 youth use the complex for T‑ball, coach pitch and lower‑division play.

Heitkamp and CLBA leaders thanked the board for the district partnership and support of community volunteers and donors that contributed labor and sponsorships for field maintenance and improvements.