January 26, 1999
Refurbished stadium & field to be renamed
By Cathy Willoughby
Staff Writer
Columbian Stadium not only is getting rebuilt. It's getting renamed.
The Tiffin Board of Education decided Monday night that once renovated, the facility will be known as Frost-Kalnow Stadium and National Field.
Within the resolution, school board president Chris English reiterated the board's recognition of the efforts of Tiffin Stadium Fund chairs Bob and Elaine Hunt and the generosity of the community. Due to the efforts of the Frost-Kalnow and National Machinery foundations, nearly all the $2 million needed for the project has been raised.
Elaine Hunt echoed the board's thoughts: ''Naming the stadium is a fitting tribute to a family that has contributed so much to the community,'' she said of the Frost-Kanows. ''And the National Machinery Foundation has been very much a part of the community. It is a great compliment to our community to have both names given to the complex for two great community supporters.''
Hunt said plans are in place for further fund-raising events; the fund has received over $1,901,000 in pledges.
Board member Dawn Iannantuono was the lone voice decrying the loss of the stadium's name. She voted against the resolution, citing the history of the stadium and the fact the people of Tiffin chose the stadium's name in 1938 to reflect the 400th anniversary of Columbus's arrival to the New World.
''In my heart it will always be known to me as Columbian stadium,'' she said before the vote was taken.
Board members also met Jim Conrath, a consultant for the educational consultant group Conrath and Trout Associates of Westerville. He is to conducting a feasibility study for the district. Those results are to help the board decide how to ask voters May 4 for more money to renovate the district's buildings.
Conrath said he began Monday, visiting Noble Elementary and talking to administrators. He welcomes questions and comments from community members and plans to visit all buildings within the next week and a half. Besides the building assessments, he is to do an enrollment projection and community study with the help of the Tiffin Area Chamber of Commerce.