District provides update on new baseball field; DNR permit and pre-construction steps pending

At its March 9 meeting the Oconto Falls Public School District provided a status update on the new baseball field project.

A presenter briefed the board that POB is finalizing contracts and preparing GPS/topographical maps to guide excavation. The district has submitted DNR land-use permit materials for wetlands review; the presenter said DNR had already responded. Utilities coordination is underway and a pre-construction meeting is expected next week to set timelines. The presenter noted plan alterations including increasing backstop heights from 24 to 30 feet (recommended by WISE) with limited expected fiscal impact due to prior bid discounts, and moving batting cages adjacent to dugouts to serve multiple fields. Electrical substructure pricing and turf sample selection are in progress; a camera has been added on the middle school south side to capture a time-lapse of construction activity.

The presenter said wetland permitting could affect the timing of dirt work (April to May is possible) and that much depends on weather and external approvals. No board action was required at this update; the presenter will return with another update in April.