Xavier High School has introduced plans for major renovations to its baseball (Ken Charipar Field) and softball (Bob Erusha Field) facilities. Both venues sustained significant damage from the derecho storm that devastated the area in August 2020 and were left in dire need of repair. Backstops, bleachers and fencing at each facility required replacement. Additionally, the dugouts on the baseball field were heavily damaged, with one dugout being completely destroyed.
The renovation project will be funded exclusively through the generosity of five families. The approximately $1.1 million project is scheduled to begin in April.
“We were very fortunate to have relatively minimal damage on campus as a result of the derecho. However, our baseball and softball fields were hit pretty hard,” states Chris McCarville, president of Xavier High School. “Since the storm occurred, our community has rallied and supported each other in ways too numerous to count. The financial support we received to not just repair, but also upgrade both fields has been humbling. We are incredibly grateful.”
Planned renovations include the following:
Additionally, the Bob Erusha Softball field will move 10 feet to the northeast. This improvement not only increases the amount of room for spectators between both fields, it also allows for dramatically improved sightlines for the softball field.
The renovation project is set to be complete by the end of the Summer 2021. As a result, Xavier will play all home games and most practices at Mount Mercy University during the 2021 season.
“It is critically important for the future of Xavier that we are continually improving our school across all facets and that includes our facilities,” states McCarville. “We are blessed with the support of an amazing community. That support makes it possible for us to move forward with projects like this and keeps our school moving forward for the benefit of current and future generations of Xavier Saints.”