DEVILS LAKE — The grandstand project at DLYA Field appears to be making some progress.
The installation of a new baseball grandstand has been in the works for a while. Progress had stalled recently while the Lake Region Baseball Boosters waited for a quote.
But the quote came in, and now progress is accelerating.
Kirk Baeth represented the boosters as a visitor in Tuesday’s monthly Devils Lake Park Board meeting. He shared the information he received via email with the board. The company he’s working with, Stadium Steve (SAAFE, LLC), estimated that the cost of delivering and installing the materials will be about $444,988. This does not include the cost of the building permit, architectural review, P&P bonds, storage cost or electrical work.
The grandstand would include a roof and a press box, 12 feet in length and eight feet in depth.
Baeth shared a diagram of what it would look like. There would be seating for about 200 people. Stadium Steve’s email added that more detailed drawings and concrete specifications will be provided after acceptance of the proposal.
Baeth’s expectation had been that it would take about a year or two to get on the company’s build list, he explained. But he and the boosters found out roughly a week before the Park Board meeting that it could possibly be done in March, in time for the next baseball season, so Baeth accelerated the timeline to visit with the board and get this started. Baeth acknowledged that some information is still incomplete since this was somewhat of a last-minute advancement.
“This all may just be talk,” Baeth told the board, “but I wanted to get you guys up to speed on where we’re at.”
For the fairly quick March timeline to work out, they would need to get the current grandstand demolished relatively soon. Baeth said he has not received an estimate on the demolition yet.
The Baseball Boosters have committed $350,000 to this project and are willing to help out the Park Board any way they can. Baeth is also waiting to hear back on some grants. He stressed that the boosters want to be a partner in this project and not just a funding source.
Board president Kale Stromme said he wants to help but that the board’s budget is tight. Commissioner Terry Wallace said he doesn’t think it’s realistically possible to have it done by March.
Baeth agreed. “It would have to be touched by an angel to get all this done,” he said, later adding, “It would be a miracle if this fell into place.”
And so discussion continued on potential solutions and strategies. Baeth explained that the Baseball Boosters’ money comes primarily from gaming and fundraising, such as Cal Ripken Baseball, youth hockey and the Sheyenne Rodeo. He said they’ve explored extra sponsorship opportunities, but they want to be delicate with how they do it so they don’t upset any of their current sponsors. The Baseball Boosters have discussed upping their commitment, but with the growing baseball program — which now fields two Legion teams in the summer — comes extra expenses.
Baeth suggested that the Park Board and Baseball Boosters get together at some point to finalize material purchases and then get going on the rest of the process.
Ultimately, Baeth conceded that this is mostly talk right now with not a ton of substance. But he emphasized that he wants to keep the project as close to the front burner as possible while still being realistic. The board said it would probably be more feasible to do the installation after the next Legion season ends.
Still, this project was being discussed without action about three or four years ago, by Baeth’s recollection. Now that he actually has some tangible information, there’s a hint of light at the end of the tunnel.
Outside of Baeth’s visit, it was business as usual at the Park Board meeting Tuesday. Burdick Arena is up and running, and Parks and Facilities Manager Brent Schmitz is looking for about three to four rink workers to help him out this winter. Fall sports are in full swing, too, including the addition of softball keeping things busy at Ruger Park.
The golf course, meanwhile, just held its last tournament of the season. Golf Course Superintendent Andy Hokanson anticipates closing the course around Halloween. But profits were pretty close to last year’s, and Hokanson said he’s “on schedule to have another good season next year.”
Recreation/Concessions Manager Josh Widmer provided updates on fall youth sports, with the amount of signups about in line with last year. He expects more people to sign up for pickleball and senior swimming once the weather gets bad and going outside is less of an option. He’s also looking to expand breakfast offerings for concessions.
Assistant Superintendent Jeff Brusven brought up something that was discussed at the previous meeting, which is the implementation of 3% fees for credit cards. Brusven and Office Manager/Treasurer Sarah Coenen recently had a Zoom call with PayTrack to discuss how it would work. It will cost $5400 to change the software. The new proposal would offer Google Pay, tap-to-pay, etc., and the fee would be determined by what type of card people are inserting (debit card, different types of credit cards, etc.).
The board recommended to move forward with the PayTrack system, and the motion carried.
The board also approved a motion to add an official manager position at the new Speed & Acceleration facility and did a first reading of the 2027 budget.
The board will hold a special meeting for the final reading of the budget on Oct. 6 at 12 p.m. at Dockside Entertainment. The next regular meeting is set for Oct. 27 at 12 p.m.