Donor still being sought for Quintal Field

The Mitchell School District’s Halloween bag is wide open — all that’s needed is a donor to drop in a $1.25 million treat.

If a donor isn’t found by the end of this month, it’s unlikely a proposed new stadium at Joe Quintal Field would be ready for the 2010 season, according to Joe Graves, superintendent of the Mitchell School District.

“We’re still working on a donor,” said Graves, who remains hopeful that a philanthropist will come forward with a donation to launch construction and replace the crumbling stadium.

Graves said he has talked with many prospects regarding the purchase of naming rights for the proposed $2.5 million stadium, but he has received no commitments to date.

“We’re hoping we’ll be able to move forward with some plan by the Oct. 26 school board meeting,” he said.

If funding can’t be secured by that time, it’s unlikely the project could be finished by next fall.

A new handicap-accessible stadium would expand capacity from the present 1,200 seats to 1,700 and would create locker space for home and visiting teams, as well as dressing rooms for officials.

Eastern South Dakota Conference coaches recently voted the 1941 stadium the worst facility in the eight-team league.

Team locker rooms at Quintal aren’t currently in use because they leak when it rains.

A new stadium would give everybody more room, said Activities Director Geoff Gross.

“The biggest plus is the accessibility. We’ll be able to seat everyone that’s there,” he said.

Having sufficient space for designated student seating would also be a bump to school spirit, Gross said.

While the school district has received authority for $2.5 million in zero percent bonds, a naming rights donation would allow some money for other upgrades, including increased visitor seating.

While Graves has been on the hunt for a big-time donor, Gross and football boosters have been trying to raise cash one brick at a time. “Victory bricks” are on sale for $50. Other commemorative bricks are selling for $100 and $250 — sort of.

“We’ve had a lot of verbal commitments,” said Gross, but actual cash has been slow to dribble in.

“We’re continuing to work,” said Gross.

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