Fields of opportunities
The difference is remarkable.
The Jaycee/Kleinow Ball Diamonds Renovation Project, which began in 2013, has resulted in the kind of youth ballpark area in which Monticello can take pride.
It couldn’t have happened without a whole lot of work, and a whole lot of money.
Much of the work – and the money – came from Bud and Georgia Johnson. They donated $90,000 to the project, as well as an additional $100,000 combined through MinnTex Citrus and the Eastern Iowa Sports Facility.
Bud also spent innumerable hours designing the upgrades and working with several local contractors to bring them about.
“I’d say 90-plus percent of the upgrades there wouldn’t have happened,” Monticello City Administrator Doug Herman said, “if it wouldn’t have been for Bud Johnson taking them under his wing and saying, ‘I’d like to invest my money and my time and my efforts to make this place great.’ ”
Bud Johnson said: “When I was little, someone did something for me when I was in youth baseball. So this is my chance to give something back.”
The improvements include:
• A new pavilion with shaded picnic area, restrooms, concessions and storage.
• New red Shakopee lime infields.
• Two sets of aluminum safety bleachers.
• All new sidewalks and lawn chair seating areas.
• Four new dugouts.
• A new backstop at Kleinow.
• A new red Shakopee lime bunker and loadout pad.
• Landscaping.
• Twenty-seven trees planted.
• A giant baseball bat with baseballs.
• Musco lighting.
All of this was acknowledged at a gathering of donors, city officials and others at the Jaycee-Kleinow concession and picnic area June 3.
Many people contributed. The Jones County Community Foundation donated $25,000. The City of Monticello donated $20,000. The Monticello Youth Baseball and Softball Association kicked in $5,000, and the Lions Club contributed $900.
In-kind donations were made by Bud Johnson, the City of Monticello, Spahn & Rose, Monti Plumbing, Heating & Electric; and Greg Jones.
Area contractors who did the work include Steve Monk Construction and Lawn Care, Advance Construction, REM Electric, Monti Plumbing, Heating & Electric; Greiner Construction, Randy Steiner Construction, Heiar Fencing, Jerry McElmeel and Dusty Cleeton. Mike Schemmel, who works with the Johnsons at MinnTex, was also a hands-on contributor every step of the way.
“People got on board with us,” Bud said. “As people donated, we were able to do a little bit more.”
The project did run into a few hurdles along the way.
“It was supposed to be one-year project, but it took three years,” Bud said. “We followed the hailstorm, so I couldn’t get a contractor for a year and a half.”
Also, the backstop at Kleinow was originally pointing to right field, so that had to be torn out and redone.
Of course, the Jaycee-Kleinow project is only one of the field upgrade efforts that have been made in Montcello in recent years. At the Monticello Athletic Complex, bleachers and new lime were put in, a batting cage was added, cement was poured for seating areas, a new sidewalk was put in, protective screens are being installed, and the concession stand has been refurbished.
And at Shannon School, the diamond there received similar upgrades, making it a state-of-the-art facility as well.
Many of the costs at the athletic complex were paid for by the banners that line the outfield fence at five of the fields.
Johnson said he has one more idea in mind for the Jaycee/Kleinow project, and at the athletic complex.
“We would like to get a playground for tournaments, at both places,” he said. “Other than that, it’s pretty much done.”
“I think having nice facilities will definitely help the community,” Herman said. “I can’t imagine there’s a nicer little league complex around.”