LOCAL

Watertown School Board approves $4M bid for new track, football field near high school

Elisa Sand

Watertown Public Opinion

Concept rendering of the new Watertown High School Athletic Complex, including the first and second phases of the project.

Work will begin this summer on the first phase of improvements to the Allen Mitchell Field.

The Watertown School Board approved a $4 million bid from Mammoth Construction of Sioux Falls at a special meeting Monday, according to Superintendent Jeff Danielsen. The scope of work includes the construction of a new track, a turf infield, new bleachers on the visitors side of the field and landscaping.

Anticipated completion is Dec. 1.

Danielsen said once construction begins, public use of the track will not be allowed. It can resume once work is completed in December.

He said bids came about $750,000 higher than expected due to the increased construction.

More:Plans call for major improvements to Allen Mitchell Field, Watertown Stadium

Danielsen said Mammoth Construction is the construction manager at risk and subcontractors are in place for the bleachers (Hanson Sports), fencing (Dakota Fence) and landscaping (Creative Visions).

Concept for both the first and second phase of the WHS Athletic Complex.

Phase one involves shifting Allen Mitchell Field, where the track is, to the north, leaving room for the potential second phase of the project. Phase two could include grandstands, concessions, a fieldhouse with wrestling mats, a plaza and two practice fields west of the track.

More:School board accepts $20.6 M bid for Lake Area project, seeks bids for athletics complex

Danielsen said the hope is to begin phase two in 2023, but significant fundraising needs to be completed. A February deadline has been set to raise $5 million.

While Allen Mitchell Field is moving, Danielsen said no name change is planned. The field was named after a long-time teacher and coach and that recognition will continue.

The school district budgeted $4 million for phase one. At least for now, it's estimated that phases one and two would jointly cost $7.5 million to $8 million.

Right now, the Watertown High School football team plays at Watertown Stadium, which is shared with the baseball team. With the new field and track, the Arrows would play near the high school instead of a couple of miles away.

Watertown Stadium is also in need of upgrades and will likely eventually be used for only baseball.