SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - It has been more than eight months since plans were announced to transform parts of Field of Dreams North in Sheboygan into a new medical building for Aurora. Before that happens, though, work must be completed to replace the athletic fields currently there.
Sheboygan Area School District Superintendent Joe Sheehan tells WHBL News the DNR recently approved permits so that work can begin transforming land east of Taylor Drive for the new fields. "They will start to move dirt in preparation to turn that side into baseball and soccer fields. They’re going to try to do some things a couple of weeks before the frost sets in."
Sheehan says the bulk of the work, including sod and seeding, will take place in 2016 so that two new baseball and soccer fields, can be ready for use in the spring of 2017.
Changes to Field of Dreams North have had its share of opposition. The group Save the Field of Dreams has been the most vocal in trying to stop the proposed changes to the green space. There are also some who are trying to bring a legal challenge to the plan, claiming discussions held by the Sheboygan Area School District, the City of Sheboygan, and Aurora about the plan were not held in public as they should have been.
Sheehan says he still hears from some of the people who are concerned about the changes, but in recent weeks more local people have told him they support the changes. "Saying wow this is a great thing to do. Aurora is expanding in our community and the Butzen Farm piece, there’s going to be quality soccer fields above and beyond what we presently have. And the baseball fields on the east side with lights, which we don’t have."
As part of the plan, Aurora cannot start constructing its new building until the new sports fields are ready for use. With that expected by the spring of 2017, Aurora's building may not start construction until the winter of 2016.