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Falls City Ball Fields Dedicated

By Matthew Leaf

04/29/2013

(KTNC) - A brisk wind was blowing and a warm sun was shining Sunday, as a large crowd gathered in Dallas Jones Park in Falls City for the dedication of the Fiedler Family Ball Complex.
Initial discussions on renovating the ball fields began in 2006, and construction began last summer. Most of the work on the fields is complete, with some paving and landscaping still to be completed.
Rod Vandeberg, who spearheaded the fundraising drive for the project, was Master of Ceremonies. The ceremony included remarks be several dignitaries, including Falls City Mayor Tim Hersh, Lieutenant Governor Lavon Heidemann, and First District State Senator Dan Watermeier.
The total price tag for the ball field renovation came in at approximately $1.8 million. Brian Poppe, the Chairman of the Ballpark Committee, noted that most of that has come through local donations. (play audio :33)
In addition, Poppe thanked the local contractors who worked on the project. (play audio :26)
Turf Solutions Group of Peoria, Illinois, designed and constructed the fields. The company’s senior landscape architect, Bill Phillips, said it was a good decision to keep the fields centrally located at Dallas Jones Park and not move them north to near the aquatic park as had been proposed. (play audio :48)
Following the remarks, and a ribbon cutting, ceremonial first pitches were thrown at each of the newly renovated ball fields.
There are four fields in the Fielder Family Complex. They are named after major donors to the project – Ed and Sandra Hartman, Southeast Nebraska Communications, F-and-M Bank, and the Rod Vandeberg family.
The entire complex is named the Fiedler Family Ball Complex thanks to a $400,000 gift from the Richardson Foundation, with funds from the Fiedler Family – Amelia, Augusta, Frances, and Vera.
The overall project also included renovation of the softball field at Grandview Park, which is named the John and Amalia Morehead Field.
A “donor board” is posted at the entrance to the complex, listing all those who have donated to the project. Vandeberg said the committee is still accepting donations, as they’d like to set up a fund to provide for future maintenance and upkeep at the facility.

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