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Championship Sports Complex asks board to help close roughly $418,000 shortfall for new softball field
Summary
Project representatives told the Brown County School Board the new softball field’s turf and major structures are in but $418,000 is needed to cover pending bills and pay down a line of credit; they asked the board to consider a lump‑sum payment or lease arrangement to avoid high interest financing.
Project representatives told the Brown County School Board on Monday that phase 2 of the Championship Sports Complex — a regulation‑grade softball field — is substantially complete but facing a funding shortfall that threatens early play dates and the project’s debt position.
"To date, we have spent $723,000 on the field," Troy, a project representative, told trustees, and said there are roughly $258,000 in pending bills expected over the next 60 days. The group has drawn $160,000 on a bank line of credit, creating "a total shortage around $418,000," he said, and asked whether the board could help with "some or all of that shortage" by providing an upfront lump sum or by entering a lease arrangement similar to one used for the Robinson Center.
The presentation outlined work already finished: the artificial infield turf is installed, the retaining wall and crowd area are complete, a maintenance shed is in place and stadium lights are scheduled for a final inspection. Project leaders said the turf drainage was professionally engineered and that removable batter’s boxes and extra turf pads will limit wear in high‑traffic areas.
Troy emphasized the field’s potential economic and community benefits, saying it could host high‑school tournaments and traveling teams that bring hotel and restaurant business to Brown County. "We hosted the Legion State Tournament here this year, and we filled up hotels," he said, arguing the facility could keep event dollars local and expand athletic opportunities for students.
Board members pressed for clarity about long‑term ownership and contingencies if the organizing board dissolves. Troy said the organizing group would offer the school district first right of refusal to assume ownership and, if the district declined, the city would be a next option; trustees asked that any financial agreement be written to clarify that endgame before taxpayer dollars are committed.
Representatives said they are open to a lease in which the operator retains responsibility for maintenance, mowing and insurance while the district would have priority access for school programs. The city has leased the land to the organizers at a nominal fee and offered to pay water and electricity costs, Troy said, and the Hiawatha Community Foundation has been listed as a fundraising partner in the packet materials.
Trustees and project leaders agreed to meet again to review detailed cost summaries and draft lease language. The project team offered to provide copies of their itemized costing and stay available for follow‑up discussions.
The board took no immediate financial action at the meeting; project leaders said they would return with more detailed numbers for the board’s consideration.
