Dubbed the “Field of Dreams Facility Project” in its inception, the Northwood High School Baseball and Softball Complex is a new leaf in the district’s athletics program. The facility takes the place of Northwood’s former field, which, after over 50 years of operation, could no longer meet the growing needs of the school. The replacement brings several features that enhance the experience for both players and spectators alike, including:
Synthetic turf allows for easier maintenance, making the upkeep of the entire facility far more sustainable. The athletic center adds JV and varsity regulation softball fields onto Northwood campus. Until now, the softball and baseball teams played and practiced on separate sites, with the softball team having to travel off-campus for games. Bringing softball players back to high school grounds eliminates transport complications and enhances student safety. With the inclusion of new access points, it’s now easier for students and their families to get in and out of the complex by road or on foot.
Built through the CMc method (Construction Manager as Constructor), our project management team got involved early in the planning process. This created space to identify potential issues before they surfaced. This approach also allowed margin for input with the design and budget, helping to improve build quality, pricing, and the construction timeline.
“We worked with the architect and the school to put budgets to their design and help work through value engineering within the confines of the budget that they knew they had allocated for the full project.” – Aaron Holy, Director of Operations, Weigand South Bend
Through the generous donation of a previous player, Wa-Nee Community Schools was able to put together full funding for this project. This “Field of Dreams” is a significant milestone for both Wa-Nee and Northwood’s athletics program, serving students, families, and the greater community for years to come.
