Field of Dreams works to nail down finances

The Vandalia Field of Dreams committee took care of some offseason business at Tuesday’s meeting, and also took a big step toward straightening out its future financial success.

A motion was carried to use the current money saved in the bank for operating expenses, while using any additional revenue that comes in by the middle of summer to be put toward making a loan payment.

Additional revenue expected to come in includes money from the signs that are hung on the outfield walls at the three high school fields and the next payment from Vandalia Mutual, which earlier this year bought the naming rights to the high school baseball field.

The committee owes about $16,000 on a loan it took out in its early stages, and the annual minimum payment is $6,000. Committee members are hopeful that the amount can be paid off in two years.

But that doesn’t mean the committee has stopped planning for new projects to enhance area fields.

There are four grant projects that the committee will be soon be submitting to local entities.

Those projects are:

•Refurbish and move the scoreboard on girls softball field.
•Fill in the area behind the softball bleachers with gravel.
•Build a pavilion near the concession stand.
•Purchase four tons of Turface for both varsity fields.

The current position of the softball scoreboard makes it virtually impossible to read during spring games because it faces west, and the area behind the softball bleachers floods when it rains and remains muddy for several days after.

A pavilion near the concession stand is a project the committee has discussed for a long time, and if grant funds aren’t secured for it, the committee hopes to move the project along following the loan being paid off.

Turface is purchased annually, and allows the field to be used in the afternoon, even if it rains in the morning. It also helps prevent blowing dust on windy days.

In other action at the meeting:

•VFOD President Tom Lucken told the committee that the Oct. 28 round-robin college tournament was a profitable venture for Field of Dreams.

The Metzger-Thiele Classic is something that is expected to continue in the future.

•Twenty-two signs on the outfield walls were damaged since last spring and most need replaced.

The committee will be hiring Jason Paslay to do the work.

In addition, the committee passed a motion to begin giving a 10 percent discount to Chamber of Commerce members who purchase a sign.