Finishing touches for a Miracle Field
Paul Roeder of Chicago-based Traction Sports Flooring lays vulcanized rubber sheets Friday across the outfield of Miracle Field in Kalispell. The rubber is a special surface designed for adaptive athletes. Garrett Cheen/Daily Inter Lake
The newest field at Kalispell's Kidsports Complex is a "miracle" that has been a long time in the making.
The Kidsports Miracle Field took one step closer to completion this week when workers began installing the field's rubberized surface. The surface sits atop an asphalt base and is intended to be a smooth, safe place for people with physical and mental disabilities to play baseball, soccer and other sports.
Crews began installing the surface Wednesday, Kidsports President Dan Johns said. The installation should take about six days.
Once the surface has been laid, workers will paint lines and bases on the field. After the bleachers and scoreboard are installed, the field finally will be ready for use.
Fundraising for Miracle Field began in 2007, when Rotary Club of Kalispell launched a campaign to raise money for the rubberized surface. The club raised about $250,000 for the field. The rest of the expense, which Johns anticipates totaling about $350,000, was covered by Robert and Lillian Howard.
Johns said he has known the Howard family, who have had a summer home on Flathead Lake since 1951, for close to 50 years. He grew up playing baseball with their oldest son, Tom.
Lillian Howard, who died Aug. 7, was the "coolest mom," Johns said - the only mom he knew growing up who had her son pitch to her. She kept the scorebook at many youth baseball games.
Knowing the Howards' love for youth athletics, Johns asked if they would be willing to donate to Kidsports, which, in addition to Miracle Field, built four new Pee Wee baseball fields and two softball fields this year.
"The next thing I knew, they made a very generous donation," Johns said. "I can't tell you how much, because they asked us not to disclose the amount. I can tell you that they register as our largest single donor."
A significant portion of their donation has gone toward Miracle Field, he said.
"It's going to dwarf the other fields in expense, but that's fine," he said. "I'm happy we're able to do it."
Kidsports may get some informal use out of the special field this fall, Johns said, but the complex likely won't hold Miracle Field's grand opening celebration until next spring.
According to early estimates from the local United Way office, more than 600 local people are expected to benefit from Miracle Field.
Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com.