Name of Community: Henderson Population: 986
Name of Project: Henderson Sports Complex
Name of Contact Person: Kelsey Bergen
Day Phone: (402) 723-4228 Eve Phone: (402) 723-5478 Email: hchamber@mainstaycomm.net
Category: Community Development
Subcategory: Parks, recreation, and Environmental Awareness
Date Project Started (mo./yr.) 08/2008 Dated Completed: 06/2010
Is the Project Annual/Ongoing: Ongoing
Volunteer Hours: 3,000 Number of Volunteers: 20
1) Brief Description of the Project
Each summer a wide age range of area youth participate in the Summer Baseball and Softball programs. From five year olds to 18-year-olds this program serves a large group of people. Until 2010 the softball games were played at the cities field on the west side of town and the baseball games were played at the school’s field on the north end of town. Both facilities had infields that were not level making it hard for water to drain, meaning games would need to be cancelled after it rained. The softball field had drainage issues of its own making water back up into neighboring yards after large storms. The baseball field did not have bathroom facilities and portable restrooms were brought in for that season. With the location of both fields across town from each other, two separate concession stands also needed to be utilized spreading out volunteers and supplies.
Due to these issues, the recreation department dreamed about creating a facility on the west end of town, by the existing softball field, so the baseball and softball fields could be in one central location with a common bathroom facility and concession stand. In 2003, land was purchased to the south of the softball field with the intent of building a second field and in August of 2008 work began to make their dream become a reality. The plan for the project was to turn the softball field 1/4 turn to the south and build the baseball field next to it, so the infields would be next to each other. According to this plan, space was also designated for the possibility of a soccer field in the future. Outside of the land leveling and electrical work, the rest of the complex was built with volunteer labor and materials sold by local vendors at discounted prices. The recreation department, along with key volunteers and donations from area residents, were able to complete this project in less than two years.
The first game played at the new sports complex took place on April 10, 2010 before the project was complete. In June the final lights were installed and both fields became fully operational just as the summer sports season took off. The final project included two new fields, scoreboards, field lighting, dugouts, drainage, announcers stand, and concession stand. During the 2010 baseball/softball season over 80 games were played on the two fields with three local softball teams, four local baseball teams, four local Teeball teams and an area select baseball team. During the course of the season teams from Hampton, Doniphan, Giltner, Phillips, Marquette, Trumbull, Goehner, Aurora, Hastings, Columbus, Lincoln, and Grand Island played on the new fields.
2) Identify the planning and implementation of the project
a) Describe the methods used to plan and implement the project
The city of Henderson and the recreation department recognized three shortcomings of the previous fields. First, the ballfields were not of regulation size limiting the activities that the fields could be utilized for. Secondly, one field was owned by the school and the other was owned by the city creating major maintenance issues as far as who paid for what repairs. Finally, there was major concern for the lack of drainage on both infields making fields unusable after a half inch of rain, which would postpone several games for two or three days at a time. These concerns caused the Recreation Department to take on the challenge of constructing two new ball fields on the city owned property where the softball field was located. In 2003 the city of Henderson acquired eight additional acres of land adjacent to the softball field. The additional eight acres of land was acquired to store excess soil excavated from the nearby lake renovation project. With the additional city owned property, it was possible for the recreation department to create a plan for the new softball complex which consists of two new ballfields with a sprinkler system and the correct infield material, a new concession/scorekeeper building and an area for a future soccer field. The recreation department organized the implementation of the project by contacting different contractors, volunteers and ordering supplies.
b) Describe how the project relates to the community’s overall goals
During the strategic planning process, participants were asked about the quality of life in Henderson. Overall, respondents felt Henderson provides a good quality of life with amenities such as community events and recreational opportunities. Since one of the ongoing community goals is to increase quality of life and recreation was listed as a way to accomplish that goal, the sports complex was a great fit with the community’s overall goals. In the “community needs” section of the strategic plan, it states, “Several emerging themes came up through the four data collection efforts. The three that came up the most often include housing, a community center and people attraction efforts.” The recreation department and general community see the Henderson Sports Complex as a way to attract people due to the increase in the community’s quality of life.
c) Describe how the project was identified as a priority for the community
Constructing the new ball fields became a priority for the community due to the shortcomings of the previous ball fields. Prior to the sports complex, the city of Henderson had two separate ball fields that were not of regulation size limiting the activities that the fields could be utilized for. One field was city-owned and the other was on school property across town. The school owned field caused confusion on major maintenance issues as far as who paid for what repairs. The infields of both fields were a major concern as the drainage and soil make-up were not of desirable material, so when it would rain a half an inch or more the fields would be unusable for two to three days. Since the summer baseball/softball programs involves 100+ participants these challenges affected a large number of families in the community.
The south ball field during the construction phase.
3) Describe volunteer involvement in planning and implementing the project.
a) Describe how responsibilities were delegated among volunteers.
Since the recreation department was in charge of implementing the project, they contacted volunteers based on their skill level and interest and delegated responsibilities accordingly. For example, one volunteer had previously owned Northern Underground Sprinklers, so he was contacted to help install the underground sprinklers. Since he is no longer able to install the sprinklers himself, he volunteered his time teaching the recreation department and other volunteers about how to properly assemble the sprinkler systems. As a result, the installation of the sprinkler system was completed solely by volunteers, which significantly lowered the cost of the entire project. When a business was contracted to install other aspects of the facility, the recreation department also asked if the business would be willing to donate a portion of their labor for the cause. Almost all of the contractors were willing to volunteer at least part of their labor to the project.
b) Describe how volunteers were recruited for the project.
Volunteers were recruited to help with the project by the recreation department mainly by phone and personally. Almost all of the contractors were also willing to volunteer at least part of their labor to the project. When longer work days were planned, for pouring concrete or other similar projects, the recreation department put articles in the paper asking for interested people of the community to volunteer on that particular day. Heartland Community Schools was also contacted by the recreation department to see if any students were interested in volunteering at the ball fields. On two occasions the junior high classes volunteered at the ball fields.
4) Identify Project Outcomes.
a) What did the community intend to change as a result of the project?
There were three areas that the community intended to change as a result of this project. First they wanted to create more recreational activities for residents. With the completion of the sports complex, it will be possible to hold tournaments and an adult summer league, which would have been inconvenient in the past. Secondly, the new sports complex was intended to create entertainment for residents and a reason for people to visit Henderson from out-of-town. With games happening nearly every evening in June, local resident can always go watch a game or two and many visitors are brought to town for tournaments. The sports complex has already drawn visitors from over 60 miles away. The final intent for the sports complex was to create a centrally located facility that was easier to maintain by the city of Henderson. By having both fields owned by the city there is no confusion with maintenance and city personnel save time by not traveling to fields located across town.
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| Both ball fields and concession stand during the construction phase. |
b) Describe community wide support of the project
Community support for this project has come from a wide range of people because many people are affected by the project from the youth participating in activities at the sports complex, to parents and grandparents watching their children and grandchildren during baseball and softball games. In addition to the softball/baseball program residents also have shown support by participating in the Home Run Derby held at the sports complex during Community Days. Others have shown their support by volunteering to work during the construction phase of the project. Many residents also showed monetary support by making a donation to the project, participating in the annual baseball slider fund raiser taking place during Community Days each year, or buying concessions at the sports complex during the sports season.
c) Describe how the final project impacted the community, including measurable data (Measurable data includes both qualitative and quantitative information).
It is obvious that the completion of the Sports Complex has had a positive impact on the community in several ways. We see this impact in the number of games held at the sports complex this summer. During the 2010 season there were 75+ games held at the Henderson Sports Complex which is approximately 33% increase compared to previous seasons. In 2010 approximately 39% of the population of Henderson participated in the softball/baseball program as a player, coach or spectator. In addition, 2010 marked the first year for a select traveling baseball team based in Henderson. Qualitatively, the Henderson Sports Complex has impacted the community by the ability to easily host future tournaments for local and area baseball teams. During 2010 the Henderson Sports Complex was rented twice by out-of-town teams, this not only puts Henderson on the map for visitors from Hastings, Grand Island, Columbus and Lincoln, but it also brings them into town, so they can see other amenities that Henderson has to offer and increase the chance of a return trip to our community.
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| The Home Run Derby during Henderson Community Days. |
5) Describe how resources were identified and used to successfully implement the project.
a) Monetary (grants, fund-raising, bonds, etc.)
The Recreation Department used four monetary resources to implement this project. The city of Henderson made several contributions to the project as they are the only entity that will directly benefit from the Henderson Sports Complex, since the recreation department is under the direction of the mayor and city council. The Recreation Department also received funding for this project through the REDLG Revolving Loan Fund at Mainstay Communications. This type of loan is available for community projects with a low 1% interest rate. Donations were made by residents, business and area corporations throughout the course of the project as the recreation department solicited donations by phone and a mass community mailing. Finally the Recreation Department received funding for this project through a Nebraska Game and Parks Grant.
b) Material and supplies (purchases and donated)
Material for this project was split up into three categories: material at cost, material at full price, and donated material. Materials purchased at cost included: sprinkler material, concession stand framing material, plumbing material, and base anchor material. Material purchased at full price included: drainage inlet pipe, concrete material for sidewalks, concession building, dugouts, fences, backstops, lights and installation, concession electrical material, infield conditioner, and scoreboards. Donated material included: dugout beams, galvanizing of beams, and dugout roof panels.
c) Labor (volunteer, in-kind, and paid services)
Labor for this project consisted of volunteer labor, in-kind labor and paid labor. Volunteer labor included: removal of the existing field, final grading of fields/ditches, half of the fence installation, seeding, installation of the sprinklers, pouring of concrete for concession building/dugouts/sidewalks, layout of field dimensions, installation of base anchors, plumbing to sprinklers and concession building, installation of dugout beams and roof panels, painting, installation of the scoreboards, and making base anchors. In-kind labor included: the use of Cushman equipment to spread infield conditioner, use of small tractor/blade/box scraper for grading, use of grass seeder, and use of trencher for the sprinkler installation. Paid labor for this project included: surveying/staking of both fields, grading of the fields, installation of concession electrical wiring and installation of field lights.
6)Future Plans
a) How will the community build upon or follow-up with this project in the future?
The recreation department will be the driving force in building upon the baseball/softball program into the future. Their immediate plans include organizing an adult evening league each summer after the softball/baseball season is over. This will promote physical activities and adult socialization in the community, which will improve the quality of life in Henderson. They also plan to host several tournaments each summer for different age groups. This will benefit the community by bringing visitors to town, which should have an economic impact based on the money they spend while in town. This will also encourage repeat visits to Henderson by nonresidents within a 60 mile radius.
b) What has the community learned from this project that can be applied to future development efforts?
The completion of the Henderson Sports Complex has taught the community that large projects can be accomplished by a small dedicated group of people. This makes it possible to take on large projects in the future. It has also taught the community to invest in projects that benefit the community in multiple ways by bring new people to the community and engaging residents who already living in the community.
7) Please describe what aspects (if any) of the project were especially unique or creative?
This project was unique due to the size of our community. Not many communities with less than 1,000 people can create a sports complex that impresses visitors from Grand Island, Columbus, Hastings and Lincoln. Usually people from towns the size of Henderson travel 60+ plus miles to participate in activities in comparable facilities. This project reversed the norm bringing people from larger cities, 60 miles away, to a smaller community and impressing them with the facility a community our size has to offer. The central location of the Henderson Sports Complex is also unique due to its location between Grand Island and Lincoln. This allows for teams to travel half the distance to play each other at a neutral field.
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