H.A. Lynn scoreboard expected to arrive early next year

Newton sports facilities will be seeing some major upgrades in the coming years.

Ryan Rump, activities director of Newton Community School District, told school board members on Oct. 10 that the new, state-of-the-art scoreboard at H.A. Lynn Stadium is expected to be delivered by late January, early February. Until then the activities and athletics department is considering a new location.

“We’re exploring the option right now of moving the scoreboard back off the infield and back behind the fence behind the track next to the concession stand,” Rump said. “It’s been recommended by a few different people due to the size of the scoreboard. It’s going to be a massive scoreboard.”

By moving the scoreboard away from the infield, it is believed it could also help alleviate the darkness on the track behind the scoreboard. Rump said this has affected track meets wrapping up in the dark. Pushing the scoreboard back could help the lack of lighting, but the school must determine if the location is feasible.

Robyn Friedman, president of the Newton school board, asked Rump if it was ever considered to put the scoreboard in the opposite end of the field. For people near the concession stand, seeing the score is impossible. She asked if it was ever a possibility to move it to this location. Rump said it was never talked about.

“Doesn’t mean it couldn’t be talked about,” Rump said.

School board member Liz Hammerly seemed to agree with Friedman, especially if the scoreboard has video capabilities. Tim Bloom, director of business services at the Newton school district, said more research with neighboring properties would have to be done to determine if that location would be viable.

Rump hopes to have the beams of the scoreboard installed after the football season, before the colder temperatures set in and freeze the ground.

“That way when the scoreboard arrives we can just hang it and be ready to use it for the spring season,” Rump said. “That’s kind of the goal here.”

Within the next month Rump intends to work with consultant and former athletic director Scott Garvis to create a plan for advertising possibilities based on what the scoreboard can do. While there is no “instant replay” function, Rump said it is going to be a massive improvement. Just picture a giant TV screen, he said.

BASEBALL FIELD CONSTRUCTION

So far, the committee leading the charge on the new baseball field have met twice with the district’s architectural firm to make decisions on the layout. The field is set to be located across the street from the softball field near H.A. Lynn Stadium. The field is estimated to cost roughly $2.75 million.

The turf direction is still being decided. It’s a “big question mark” at the moment, Rump said. Committee members visited two fields last week to get a first-hand observation of different surface options and to ask questions. Rump said the committee has yet to decide the brand and vendor to use for the turf.

Rump said he and school board member Ray Whipple accompanied the committee to scope out two fields with different brands of playing surfaces. They are both good options, Rump said. Whipple agreed but had his own preference.

At this point the school has informed the City of Newton it plans on using the field at Woodland Park for one more season while the district awaits the construction of the new diamond. This past year the baseball field at the city-owned park was damaged heavily by a tornado. The city did temporarily repair the field.

The project is going out to bid on Oct. 25 pending school board approval.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext 560 or at cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com