Fundraising For Artificial Turf at Schumann Stadium Is Set to Begin

There’s been a lot of legwork behind the scenes over the last several months, but fundraising for artificial turf at Schumann Stadium can officially begin.

Doug Menne, co-founder of the Menomonee Falls Junior Indians football program met with the Menomonee Falls School District Finance Committee Wednesday to hash out final agreements before moving forward to fundraise $800,000 to install artificial turf on the football field.

Menne said the Junior Indians are poised to make a $150,0000 to $200,000 in-kind donation to kick off the fundraising. On Wednesday, the district agreed to draft a contract waiving the club’s rental fees to use the field for the life of the turf – - if the project moves forward.

Menne was hoping the district would waive future rental fees in light of its sizable donation. Menne said the club already invests nearly $6,000 annually to maintain the football fields and practice fields. The contract was the last hurdle to cross before they started seeking donations.

In December, to move forward with the project – so long as all $800,000 is raised before a single shovel hits the dirt. The board wanted to ensure no taxpayer dollars would be used to fund the project.

Menne said they are hoping to work with local companies who may be interested in making a sizable donation for the project, and perhaps offer naming rights for the field if a donor steps to the table. He said they’ll also turn to the community for donations, and would create some way to memorialize donors in Schumann Stadium.

While the Junior Indians stand to benefit from the installation of new turf, the district as a whole will also benefit greatly from the project.

New turf installation at Schumann Stadium would be the first domino to fall in and is key to opening up field space on the MFHS campus for softball and baseball.

In 2013-14, there will be new statewide regulations for size of girls’ softball fields. The 5-year plan includes a design for a new diamond on an existing practice field at . A practice field could be removed since teams could practice on the new turf field without destroying it.

Building a diamond on campus would eliminate bussing costs, and cut down on scheduling conflicts at the Falls Little League Complex – the current home for the girl’s team.

According to plans , replacement costs for the turf would be funded by the deferred maintenance costs of a grass field. It was estimated that annual maintenance for the grass field costs some $25,000 including labor and materials.

If you have any questions about the project, or would like to inquire about donating, you can contact Menne at (262) 251-8221 or by email.