On hand for the official groundbreaking at Fisher Field for the new turf for the football were, in front from left, Mickey Ratliff, WCS Director of Bands; Dave Anson, WCHS Athletic Director; Scott Erba, health/physical education teacher and WCHS girls track coach; Dani Barkey, WCS Communication and Accountability Officer; Dr. David Hoffert, WCS Superintendent; Kirk Ray, CEO Lutheran Health Network – Kosciusko Community Hospital; Jay De Los Reyes, COO Lutheran Health Network – Kosciusko Community Hospital; Jeanine Corson, WCS HR Director; Tracey Beiler, WCS Benefits Coordinator; Troy Akers, WCHS Principal; and Dirk Felger, WCS Director of Maintenance, Buildings and Grounds. In the back row are Matt Thacker, WCHS boys track coach; Brad Hagg, WCS Chief Technical Officer; Chris Bonifield, WCS Grants/Project Manager; Randy Polston, WCS School Board Member; David Robertson, WCS Chief Academic Officer; Jim LeMasters, Project Supervisor; Brandon Penrod, WCS Chief Financial Officer; and Cary Groninger, G&G Hauling and Construction. (Photo by Mike Deak)

WARSAW – On a sunny Tuesday afternoon at Warsaw Community High School, Dr. David Hoffert, Kirk Ray and about two dozen were on hand to break ground on the new turf football field on campus, part of a bigger project partnership with the school corporation and Lutheran Health Network – Kosciusko Community Hospital.

The ceremony, held on the current Fisher Field surface, included several of the WCHS administration, both Warsaw track coaches, and many who have a hand in the process moving forward.

The initial formal announcement, which was made in February before the Warsaw-Plymouth boys basketball game, got the ball rolling. With the boys track regional out of the way, according to Warsaw Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert, it’s time to get down to work on the physical and tangible evidence on the partnership.

“Now that the track regional is over, we can start with the outdoor portion of our four-month plan,” Hoffert said at the ceremony. “Our hope is to have this done by Aug. 1. This is the first step of the project. Monetarily, we have been moving with this, which is our aim to further invest in this great community.”

Hoffert noted that football and track won’t just be the beneficiaries to this move, but marching bands will have the opportunity to utilize the field, as will physical education classes.

Athletic training facilities and employee wellness programs will also benefit from the partnership with Lutheran.

Kirk Ray, CEO of Lutheran Health Network – Kosciusko County Hospital, noted the plan is to also impact inside the school.

“This is evolutionary,” stated Ray. “It benefits the school but also the school system as a whole. This brings into fruition a 10-year partnership. This also helps the work population as well as the athletes with health management and work models.”