By: Kolton Anderson

On Tuesday January 28^th, the Winchester City Council voted to adopt Shenandoah University’s proposal of action for some of the baseball and softball fields in Jim Barnett Park.

According to theriver953.com, Shenandoah University will have the management and scheduling rights for Rotary and Bridgforth field in the park. The University’s baseball and softball teams will use these two fields as their home field sites. Also included in the proposal SU will make improvements to two other fields in the park, Bodie Grim and Henkel Harris. The price tag on the new plan is $4.5 million all committed to be paid out by SU.

When asked about his thoughts on the approval SU baseball’s Coach Anderson stated, “It’s a great opportunity to enhance recreational and competitive baseball and softball in Winchester and in the surrounding region.”

When asked about the baseball facility specifically, he added, “It will provide our players with a state-of-the-art facility to maximize their skill and potential.”

Looking towards the future, the new plan is set to upgrade Rotary and Bridgeforth field in order to meet NCAA tournament standards.

The main upgrades will include- artificial turf, remodeled dugouts, improved press boxes, batting cages, new fences, seats, lights, and scoreboards on both fields.

Work will begin on Bodie Grim and Henkel Harris in the spring of 2020 and on Bridgeforth and Rotary in August of 2020. All renovations and improvements are set to be finished by the close of 2025.

These scheduled improvements of go along with the University’s long-term commitment to athletics.