Athletic Complex History
In a community funded project, not related to the 1998 bond for school renovation and new construction, the Underwood Community Athletic Complex was developed.
During the 1997-98 school year, the Underwood School purchased 23 acres of land adjoining the school property with the goal of improving physical education, playgrounds, varsity sports, and parking, along with space for growth and expansion.
The Underwood Athletic Complex Committee, under the direction of Margo Shebeck, set out to reach a goal and to complete this task. The committee was able to raise $276,278.00 to go toward the building of the previously mentioned areas. The support from the community and the school building's contractors was fantastic.
On April 1, 2000, Randy Jacobson broke ground on the site and the process of creating a beautiful athletic complex was begun. After that, things were completed at a fast and furious rate. Dean Woodman assisted with the building of the two ball diamonds, the chain-linked fence was put in place, the concession stand was built by our very own students, under the direction of then Industrial Arts teacher Harry Opp. The physical education/practice areas were completed in the fall of 2001 and the Rockets took to the field to play their first football game on the new grass.
During the summer of 2004, after $32,750 was donated, lights were added, and a shelter was constructed by the ball diamonds. In the 2010-2011 school year dugouts were built to improve the ball diamonds.
The Underwood school district is proud to have a beautiful sports and education area, including a walking path that travels through the woods and around the wetland area. There have been many trees planted and a nice sized parking lot created.
Sincere thank-yous go out to many businesses and individuals who donated time, materials, labor, and money in order to make this project possible. The school and community can be very proud of these accomplishments.
Major Local Contributers Included: |
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American Legion of Underwood |
Little Donuts of Underwood |
Battle Lake Dairy Queen |
Luhman Real Estate |
Battle Lake Review |
Minnesota Motors |
Coca-Cola of Fergus Falls |
Minnesota Twins Grant |
David Moore Memorial |
Nelson Ford/Dodge |
Delzers Construction |
Ottertail Power |
Farmers State Bank of Underwood |
Park Region Telephone |
Fergus Falls VFW |
Sverdrup Insurance of Underwood |
Fergus International |
Underwood Lions |
Harvest States Coop |
Underwood School |
John Hexum, Mortgage Broker |
Grant from the Minnesota Twins |