Construction of Clay Center Community High School’s new football field is well underway and is set to be completed by the 2023-2024 school year, according to USD 379 Superintendent, Brett Nelson.  

The $2 million multi-purpose stadium complex began a few months ago after the community was able to raise enough funds through USD 379 and private donations.   

“Substantial completion was signed off on this week for the turf field, so it is ready and available for use both for our schools and the community,” Nelson said. 

 With the completion of the turf, students have already been able to make use of the field for multiple activities.   

“The other day when it was wet and baseball was here, softball was here, track was here … we really saw the first benefit of the new turf vs grass,” said JD Lane, a multi-sport coach at CCCHS.   

When asked about his thoughts on the construction, Coach Lane said: “The more things get done or closer to being finished, you can kind of see the scope of things and I think it’s getting better and better by the day.”  

Not only has the turf been completed, but substantial progress has been made in other parts of the stadium.   

“The steel frame from the grandstands and press box is up at the site now, the next step is bringing in the remaining materials to erect the grandstands and the press box,” Nelson said.   

The remaining pieces needed should arrive May 22nd, and the press box will be delivered the following week.  

Most of the restroom and concession building is being built by the Construction Tech Classes (high school and middle school classes), which is led by teacher Brandon Pfizenmaier. The walls, roof, and doors have already been completed by the classes, while electrical and plumbing work was outsourced and has already been completed.   

“They need to do a bit more flashing but then the next step is insulating,” said Nelson. The school is hoping to be able to finish the insulating before the end of the school year then they will have the subs come in to finish the electrical plumbing and drywall.   

Over the summer, United Sports will come in and put a new coating over the top of the track for deterred maintenance. Every 7-10 years they will need to put a new coating on the top of the track in order to protect it and then they will paint new lines. Also, within a few weeks, the pull vault pit will be installed to the west of the existing concession restroom building.   

However, storms that came through on April 19th did damage the score board and the visiting side bleachers. The school received confirmation that insurance will be replacing those items, which should arrive in August.