Donations for West athletic field reach $1 million

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Updated: November 10, 2011 2:35PM

AURORA — The West Aurora School District has raised about $1 million for its Field of Dreams campaign to pay for the artificial turf field installed over the summer at West Aurora High School, according to School Board president Neal Ormond.

The Board of Education received a check for $500,000 from the Community Foundation Monday, as a first installment toward the field. The Community Foundation is an Aurora-based group that assists local non-profits by managing their fundraising and accounting efforts.

“West Aurora schools have a lot of friends and supporters,” said Sharon Stredde, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “They (the donations) continue to pour in.”

The district also made a $1,000 donation to the Community Foundation Monday, to show its appreciation for donated time and services. The foundation did not charge the School District for managing the funds.

“They’ve allowed us to become so much more efficient and effective,” Superintendent James Rydland said.

Ormond said that the district is still seeking donations to cover the roughly $300,000 in remaining costs for the field. People can still donate by going to the district’s website at www.sd129.org, and clicking on the button to support the Field of Dreams.

He also noted that the district expects to save between $25,000 and $50,000 a year by not having to perform routine maintenance on the field, such as mowing and watering. The district also expects to be able to use the field as a revenue source, renting it to various community organizations for events, he said.

The artificial turf was installed over the summer, and was dedicated Aug. 20.