Niwot Youth Sports opens season

Niwot Youth Sports will host Opening Day ceremonies on Sunday, April 30 at 10 a.m. at Hangge Fields at Monarch Park, with speakers, live "baseball" music by the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band, youth baseball and softball games, and a chance to see the progress on the new Monarch Improvement Project building.

The NYS website states, "Our initial goal is to build a permanent structure to house the concession stand, a storage facility, and real bathrooms. No more using port-a-potties when out at the field." Completion of the building is projected for later in the summer.

The organization, now in its 52nd year, has taken on the $500,000-plus project to construct a building at the center of the six ballfields on the site, as well as improve the fields and other facilities. The new building, designed by Niwot's Osmosis Architecture with Niwot's Porchfront Homes as the general contractor, is now enclosed and awaiting a sewer line connection to the Niwot Sanitation District.

Former NYS player Nick Davies, and his construction firm E-Z Excavating, are digging the connection to Monarch Road. Many of the contractors are donating or discounting services and products for the project.

Fundraising activities, which include everything from sales of concessions at tournaments to trivia nights to substantial donations from parents and former participants, have so far produced over $350,000 toward the project's costs. But additional funds are still needed, according to fundraising coordinator Riki Frea.

NYS president Pat Longseth, along with Larry Longseth, Glen Wager and Tony Dageenakis have spearheaded construction of the long-planned project, which had its origins 25 years ago.

The ballfields were originally acquired as part of a development proposal that included housing along Monarch Road and 79th Street, 22-acres of light industrial rezoning, and 100 acres of donated open space. The first four fields were constructed by volunteers in 1984 with financial assistance for materials from the developer. Two additional fields were added through easements when additional development of the adjacent property took place.

Tax-deductible donations to Niwot Youth Sports can be made online at http://www.niwotyouthsports.org, in person on Opening Day, or by mail at P.O. Box 125, Niwot, CO 80544. All donors of $100 or more will be recognized on a permanent plaque on the building.