MLC unveils plans for $2 million athletic complex

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM--Martin Luther College officials unveiled their plans for a $2 million athletic complex west of the college at an informational meeting for community leaders Friday morning.

Led by President Theodore Olsen, the MLC team conveyed the message that the proposed complex which is part of a $30 million campus upgrading is really a community asset which could and should be supported financially by the community.

"We wouldn't be here today asking you to support the building of our chapel or any other element on the campus," said MLC Board Member Robert Hinnenthal, New Ulm. "However, this beautiful complex will actually be serving the community more than it will the college."

"From about late August through May it's basically ours, but during the summer months, it would be all city use. Those are the heavy usage months, anyway," Olsen said.

The New Ulm Park and Recreation Department currently maintains and lines the college's soccer fields. The department presumably would continue to do that work with the new complex.

The proposed complex features a softball/baseball "wheel" of four fields emanating from a central hub, a "premier" baseball field, a large varsity soccer field, two smaller soccer practice fields, plus a centrally located support building housing equipment storage bays, restrooms and a concession stand.

It would be located on college-owned property, 40 acres bounded by Oakwood Ave. where Boettger Rd. and Sunset Ave. meet, Olsen explained.

"There will be a perimeter fence around the entire complex, and there will be no lights," MLC Athletic Director Jim Unke said, "so people living in the area won't have to be concerned about noise at night. Off-street parking also is planned so there should be very little on-street parking."

College officials are planning a meeting with property owners in the Oakwood area to explain the project. That meeting will be held Monday, April 22, at 7 p.m. in the Oakwood United Methodist Church.

Retired Judge Terence Dempsey wondered how much of the cost MLC was expecting the community to cover.

He was told that the college hadn't set a goal yet. "I'd like to say $2 million," Hinnenthal replied, "but that's not realistic. I can see we need to decide what our goal will be."

District 88 Superintendent Harold Remme asked about a construction time-line.

"We don't have that either," Hinnenthal said. "These are all things that we need to resolve in the near future."

"While we don't have a time-line for the complex," Olsen said, "we are starting some of the overall project this summer with work on the boiler area, renovation of the cafeteria, removal of the homes on the south edge of the campus and relocation of the tennis courts to that area. It will amount to about $1 million."

Olsen said the college plans to launch its community support drive in June when it holds its annual MLC Golf Classic at the New Ulm Country Club Monday, June 10.

"We'll have the answer to those questions then."