Niwot Youth Sports Opening Day - Play Ball!

It’s been a year in the making, but the Niwot Youth Sports Monarch Improvement Project will be the focus of the Opening Day ceremonies Sunday, April 28, starting at 11 a.m. at Hangge Fields at Monarch Park.

The six-field complex, with access off of Highway 52 just west of 79th Street, is now home to a building which includes permanent restrooms, a concession area, and equipment storage space. The facility was built as part of the Monarch Improvement Project, which has raised most of funds to meet the goal of $500,000 for the building and other facilities improvements.

“We are close to $475,000 and hoping to raise the last $25,000 needed to reach our original goal,” fundraising coordinator Riki Frea said. “We will continue to accept donations and there is still time for anyone who would like to be included in our plaque. They may still do so with a donation of $100 or more.”

Donations can be made online at the Niwot Youth Sports website. “We will also happily accept cash and checks at the event, or checks can be mailed to Niwot Youth Sports, PO Box 125, Niwot 80544,” Frea said. Please indicate MVP on the check.

“The building is in operation,” Frea noted. “We've had a few days of tournaments, which have given us an opportunity to fine tune some things, while also finalizing the interior setup and equipment.”

The Opening Day ceremonies will include baseball and softball games, starting earlier in the day, with the actual ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m.

“The day will run very similar to the past two opening days, with initial games being played and teams taking their pictures,” Frea said. “There will be a break at 11 a.m. for the ceremony, which will include the National Anthem, short speeches to provide recognition of our committee, the donors, and our community for their support, and the ribbon cutting. There will also be a bouncy castle.”

The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band will be on hand to provide baseball-related walkup music, and to accompany one of the NYS players, who will sing the National Anthem.

Niwot Youth Sports, which was incorporated in 1972, is a non-profit charitable organization which provides baseball, softball, basketball, flag football and soccer programs for area youth.