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Low funds may keep stadium dark By BUFFY POLLOCK ROGUE RIVER - Even though two years' worth of generous donations have moved the Chieftain Field of Dreams closer to reality than ever hoped, a funding shortfall in the final third of the project could leave student athletes in the dark next year. Up to $150,000 for grandstand seating and $48,000 for lighting must be raised to complete the $600,000 facility. "Those are the last of the really expensive pieces of the project. We're kinda on hold until we get money for those. After that it's basic stuff like landscaping and gates, but those two are gonna take some big bucks," explained Debbie Smith, member of the Chieftain Field of Dreams Organization. The nonprofit organization began almost two years ago when parents, coaches and volunteers decided their school "needs facilities on par with the rest of the valley," said project engineer and football coach Bob Branch. Students have been using the middle school stadium (formerly the high school's) since the high school was moved to its current location in 1972. Students travel to the old stadium, built in the 1930s, for games and practices. "We're one of the few schools that don't have facilities physically at the high school," said Ron Smith, president of the organization and husband of Debbie Smith. Major contributions include: An anonymous $50,000 donation matching "in-kind" donations at the start of the project; a $50,000 grant in April from Nike's Bowerman Track Renovation Program; $50,300 in stocks from lifelong resident Bob Gail in May - the largest contribution to date; $50,000 in July from resident Georgia Salter in honor of her late husband, Harold Salter; a labor donation from more than 75 local truckers who hauled topsoil for the football field - valued at more than $40,000; goal posts built and painted by local resident Mike Trask, who, after losing his fingers in an accident, volunteered his time and skill to thank the community for support; supplies, labor and equipment donated during several project phases by Boise Cascade; a totem pole being built by Don Worthington and Larry Johnson of Wimer, similar to one at the well-known covered bridge in Wimer; and a scoreboard purchased by Pepsi. "There are just so many," said Debbie Smith. "Everyone has been incredible. So many people have come forward to help in so many different ways." In addition, paving of the undersurface of the track was completed by LTM, Robco Inc., CBC, Chevron Products Company, Rogue Aggregates Inc. and Bear Cat Inc. last week. The track will be coated Sept. 17 with an all-weather track surface made of ground-up tennis shoes. A project update and request for help is being mailed to supporters, explained Ron Smith. "We might have a little to put toward lighting after we pay for the track and some miscellaneous things, but we're pretty much tapped. We're making calls to possible donors and pursuing grant possibilities," he said. The track will be usable during the current school year but football and soccer events will be held at the old stadium one final year. As for remaining expenses, "'can't' hasn't appeared as an option yet," said Debbie Smith. "Oh, we'll get it," said Ron Smith. "We're not quitting. We've come this far." Donations can be mailed to Chieftain Filed of Dreams Organization, P.O. Box 1760, Rogue River, 97537. For more information call Ron Smith at 582-1923 or Branch at 582-2618. Buffy Pollock is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.