A new indoor multipurpose facility continues to take shape and promises to provide year-round practice space for a variety of USD 257 student-athletes.
Located just north of the high school, the building measures 6,000 square feet and features artificial turf along with two batting cages designed for baseball and softball training. According to Iola Middle School Assistant Principal Scott Brady, the cages are long enough to accommodate pitching work.
“The boys pitch from 60 feet, and the cages are 70 feet long,” Brady said. The cages are also 14 feet wide and 10 feet high.
While construction is still underway, much of the project has come together quickly in recent weeks. Turf has been installed, fencing is in place, and additional finishing work remains before the facility is fully operational.
“It’s obviously not done yet, so you’re going to see some mess,” Brady said. “It’s getting there.”
One chain-link fenced section inside the building will serve as storage space for baseball and softball equipment. Brady noted that crews still need to complete work on the netting and make the storage area fully accessible.
THE DISTRICT envisions the building benefiting other athletic programs as well.
The batting cages are designed to retract, creating a large open turf area that can be used by multiple programs. Brady said football players could utilize the space during inclement weather, while track athletes could conduct strength and conditioning workouts indoors.
The facility could also provide options for wrestling, although moving mats into the building would present some logistical challenges. Brady added that golf may eventually find a place in the building as well.
“I think high school golf might have some intentions of getting a net or simulator to hit into that could possibly be out here,” he said.
The indoor space could also be used by the district’s weight-training programs for speed and agility work; box jumps and other conditioning activities.
“If the high school weights coach wanted to do some speed and agility training in here, they could use it for that, too,” Brady said.
The building will also include practical features for athletes and families. Benches and seating areas will be installed where players can store backpacks and equipment during practices. The seating area could also provide a safe waiting spot for parents. “If parents are here for practice to pick up their kid, they can also wait here and not get hit by a ball,” Brady said.
