Dedication, tailgating, fireworks
By Scott Bellile
Hortonville High School invites the public to a day of events to celebrate the completion of its athletic complex renovation Friday, Aug. 17.
Akin Field, now officially named Wolf River Community Bank Stadium for the next 20 years per a $200,000 sponsorship agreement, was given an aesthetic overhaul over the spring and summer.
The Hortonville Area School District released a schedule for the community kick-off celebration set for Aug. 17:
• 1:30 p.m.: Ribbon cutting.
• 2:30 p.m.: Boys’ soccer scrimmage versus Freedom.
• 5 p.m.: Tailgate party featuring entertainment, food and family activities, sponsored by Jump Around Rentals.
• 6 p.m.: Performance by the HHS marching band.
• 6:30 p.m.: Stadium dedication and pre-game show.
• 7 p.m.: Varsity football season opener against Appleton West High School.
• Post-game: Fireworks show sponsored by Michael Davis Insurance Agency, Meemic Foundation and J&M Displays.
HHS Principal Thomas Ellenbecker said construction is going well.
When Wolf River Community Bank Stadium hosts its first athletic event, a football scrimmage on Aug. 10, the only work that should remain by then is landscaping, he said.
The scope of the $3.5 million renovation project includes installing a more durable artificial turf field, replacing stadium lighting from the 1960s, installing new bleachers that upped home seating capacity by 1,500, tripling restroom space to speed up the lines, doubling the concessions space to improve service and putting up a new digital scoreboard.
“We’re going to be much better equipped to serve the population that goes through that facility on a nightly basis,” Ellenbecker said.
The Press Star was unable to reach head football coach Tom Kolosso or head soccer coach Paul Everett to ask how the artificial turf will benefit their athletes at their Aug. 17 games.
However, HHS Band Director Greg Forton, who was in the parking lot preparing the marching band for its trip to the Wisconsin State Fair this week, offered his perspective.
Forton said the band used to spend little time rehearsing its halftime shows on Akin Field to protect the grass surface. And unlike Akin Field, the band’s typical practice field was not full-size, which meant discrepancies in yardage between the practice field and Akin Field.
The band will be granted much more rehearsal time on the artificial turf field, Forton said. Benefits will include a stronger grip that should lead to fewer injuries among musicians, and more time for band members to familiarize themselves with surroundings like light poles that serve as markers in memorizing field formations.
“Everything should be a lot cleaner and much more relaxed for the students because they don’t have to guess where they need to be,” Forton said.
Fundraising remains ongoing for further improvements to Wolf River Community Bank Stadium. To donate or learn about sponsorship opportunities, call HHS at 920-779-7933.