Plans are underway after last week’s surprise announcement from the Pete Van Kirk family that they wanted to donate 350,000 dollars to improvement at the Dewey Field football complex in Perry.  The school board agreed to match the 350,000 giving the school 700,000 to work with in these beginning phases.

“It’s an exciting time for the Perry Community School District,” commented Perry Activities Director Tom Lipovac.  “We are very fortunate to have so many generous families and individuals in our community who support us in so many ways and the Van Kirk family is certainly high on that list.  The Van Kirks do it in a quiet and humble way.”

Lipovac indicated the school will not rush into specific decisions right away but rather will review and search all options to discover the best way to maximize the gift.

“It certainly is a great start.  Our next phase will be the design stage and how to maximize the gift.  Initial discussions or phase one will deal with a new entryway on the east side of Dewey Field, perhaps the Pete Van Kirk Plaza or Van Kirk Family Plaza.  This will include in addition to a new entrance, new restrooms, concession stand and possibly storage.  Phase two or even maybe phase one would also include track repair to the existing 6 lanes at Kaufman Track.  Phase two will be discussion on what to do with the field surface and whether we should leave it natural or go with an artificial surface.”

Lipovac indicated that none of the physical changes he described would be ready for the start of the upcoming fall season.  Raccoon Valley Radio will continue our discussion with Lipovac and lay out possible plans for the Dewey Field Renovation over the next few days.