Jeffs Dedicate New Athletic Complex
by Fred Helmink
FAIRBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Athletic Complex
(Click on the photo at the right to see more pictures of the new athletic complex!)
On Friday, September 18, 2009, the Fairbury Public Schools dedicated their new $1.4 Million Athletic Complex before a near capacity crowd of approximately 1,300 fans. It was a fantastic evening for everyone as those who donated were recognized with the major donors participating in a half-time ceremony on the field. The ceremony included State Senator Russ Karpisek, Mayor Homer Ward, and representatives from the Board of Education, general contractors, and other school and community groups. The ceremony concluded with the band playing the school song and a short fireworks display. The Jeffs football team also did their part as they defeated Central City in the Homecoming game by a score of 37-13.
Below is part of the information that was included in the dedication program. A complete copy of the program will soon be available on the athletic complex web page.
Fairbury has a rich and storied athletic history. While winning
many state and conference titles, the Jeffs have always been known
for fielding quality teams with outstanding leadership from its
coaches and players. Most importantly, the student athletes at
Fairbury display “Jeff Pride” in competition at every level.
Quinn Field was the home of the Jeffs football team for decades. The field was originally built for baseball and was the home of a minor league baseball team from 1915 through the 1930 season and for two years in 1936 and 1937. The Jeffs have played football at Quinn Field since the late 1920s and the final high school game was held at Quinn Field on September 11, 2009.
Fairbury also has a long history of excellent track teams and built one of the first all-weather track surfaces in 1965. The track was utilized by both Fairbury Public Schools and Southeast Community College for many years. There were several renovations to the original track, the last of which occurred in 1988. A new track was built at the Jefferson School site in 2005 at a cost of approximately $225,000.
The athletic complex being dedicated tonight is the result of many
volunteers and dedication to the project by school and community
leaders. The building of this complex did not come easy to our
community as there were several failed attempts to build a new
facility at this site. When the 1989 Junior/Senior High School was
built, the intent was to move the athletic field as well.
Additional strategic plans for a new track and football complex
were initiated in 1991, 1993, 1999 and 2002, but all of these
attempts failed to gain the financial support of the school and
community.
In March of 2003, a group of concerned citizens met to discuss the
history of the failed attempts. This group determined that the best
alternative was to build a new complex southeast of the 1989
building and that fundraising efforts should begin immediately.
Chuck and Sharon Moore volunteered to co-chair this project and
what you see today is the result of over five years of fundraising
efforts.
When completed, the entire athletic complex project will cost over
1.6 million dollars. To date, over $860,000 has been donated
through pledges and labor with the school contributing another
$325,000. Fundraising efforts will continue during the coming year
in an attempt to obtain money needed to complete the track and
locker room facilities. Fairbury Public Schools is extremely
grateful to the many that made this athletic complex a reality. The
athletes, coaches, and entire community will benefit from this
project for many generations to come!
