A benefactor has stepped forward with a $150,000 donation to upgrade the softball fields at Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua.
At Monday's school board meeting, Administrator/Principal Jim Bouché announced the donation is coming from Brian Lenz of Fond du Lac. The owner of Lenz Truck Center is building a new sales facility on U.S. Highway 51, south of the Island of Minocqua.
Bouché outlines the work that will be done this fall on the future multi-purpose field:
“We do know based on what Mr. Lenz has put forth, we would like to do something on the field, we would like to do something for the stands, we would like to do something for the athletes when it comes to the dugouts, and having concessions out there. So, he has given some general ideas on what he would like to see the money used for. “
Now what we will have to do is to put some plans together and how fast that we can get it done. Because for softball we will need to do something ASAP in order to get it done and ready to go come spring. Because every field, baseball, softball, you put the field to sleep before the snow flies because you don’t have a lot of time to bring it back to life if it’s not put to sleep well.”
This is the second major donation to upgrade athletic facilities at Lakeland. Earlier, River Valley Bank owner Greg and Darcey Nicklaus of Arbor Vitae, and the bank’s foundation together donated $750,000 to install artificial turf on the athletic field for football and soccer use. Bouché said Little League baseball teams will also use the renovated softball field in the summer.
