Back for another season; Wescott dome back up
Published 10:14 am Friday, November 18, 2016
- The dome is back up for a second year at Art Hass Stadium. Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
For the second straight year, a seasonal dome will tower over Wescott Athletic Complex for the winter and this time things should go a little smoother.
With the dome set to be up and fully operational by Thanksgiving, facilities coordinator Dan Ball has been able to take what he learned last year and apply it to this year.
“It’s not going to change a whole lot. It’s pretty much going to stay the same. I think it’s going to be busier,” Ball said. “It’s been a lot easier to make plans for snow removal and things like that. Last year we didn’t know what to expect and now we’ve got that stuff figured out.”
Workers put the finishing touches on one of the doors to the dome put up Thursday over Art Hass Stadium.
One big addition that should help increase the usage of the dome is the new parking lot located next to the water tower that is well lit off of 14th Street Northwest. There will also likely be a different entrance point, as last year’s entrance was prone to being hit by loose softballs that had slipped past the net.
Ball said walking will be available all of the time, just like last year and there may be some incentive for area walkers looking to get exercise.
“There is a Mower Refreshed group that is going to try and track miles for people that walk with a possible card drawing,” Ball said.
Like last year, there are some groups renting the dome for recreation and there are also plenty of sports that are taking advantage of it as well. The Austin soccer, baseball, softball, track and field, and cross country teams have all been looking to make use of the dome.
There are also some college teams looking to rent the dome.
Other activities include flag football through Park and Recreation, and team practices for the Albert Lea amateur football team.
In the spring, the Austin softball team is set to host its first ever regular season contest under the dome when it hosts Rochester Century in a doubleheader March 30.
Dome open for walkers, rentals
The dome is open to the public for walking from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The facility is also available for rental seven days a week. For more information on dome rental, contact Dan Ball at 507-460-1928 ext. 0555 or email at dan.ball@austin.k12.mn.us. For more on the dome, visit www.austin.k12.mn.us/Pages/activities/activities-dome.aspx
