Ironwood Little League field to get concession remodel

By LARRY HOLCOMBE

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Ironwood - Officials with the Ironwood Little League have big plans during the offseason, including the construction of a new concession stand.

Now that play has wrapped up for the season on the city's girls and boys Little League fields near the corner of Day and Vaughn streets, Shaun Munn said the concession stand is only the beginning of many projects they hope to accomplish before the beginning of next season. Munn is a board member of the Ironwood Little League and president of the Penokee Range Little League.

"We've got lots planned," he said. "We've been fundraising for a few years for these projects."

Most recently, the Ironwood Little League had a food booth at Festival Ironwood for three days and raised $5,635. Through a collaboration with the Gogebic Range Health Foundation, that organization promised to match up to $10,000.

The foundation's executive director, Candy Pagliano, met with Munn and a few other Little League board members Tuesday evening.

"It's great for us to be involved with the Little League," said Pagliano. "We want to promote health, and Little League is getting these kids outside and running around."

League secretary Laurie Munn said there have been many supporters of Little League over the years, including a gift earlier this year from Gus Swanson for $20,000 toward their concession stand project. He died in May.

Laurie Munn said they plan to name the concession for him.

League treasurer Jessica Vaughn said many local businesses have given to support their efforts, including the recent Festival Ironwood food booth.

Work on the concession stand is set to begin today.

"It's going to be all concrete, maintenance free," said league vice president Jay Vaughn.

The plan is to place the new structure so it is closer to both fields. It will have handicapped accessible bathrooms, concession area and windows facing both fields, as well as storage.

It's not the only project planned for the offseason, according to Shaun Munn. He listed several other construction projects they hope to complete before opening day, including new dugouts for the boys field, new score boxes for both fields, a pavilion near the new concession stand, moving the batting cage, redoing the infield on the boys field and removing the existing upper level press box.

The current concession building will be used for storage and will still have bathrooms.

"It's a lot of work, but we're ready to get started," he said, adding the work will be done with a combination of contract labor, city labor and volunteer labor.

"Once we're done, it will be ready to go for a long time," he said.

Jessica Vaughn said not all the fundraising has gone to the construction fund, as they've purchased new helmets and catchers equipment, a pitching machine for the girls and protective fencing.

Shaun Munn said their girls numbers were higher than the boys this year. "It's all about them."