Fort Dodge Community School District Superintendent Josh Porter exudes optimism as he tours the new layout anchoring the southwest corner of the iconic facility. The locker rooms, concession stand, restrooms, training and coaching offices and storage areas are being rebuilt, along with the addition of better parking options, safety improvements and a grand entrance to introduce it all.

There are still concepts to be imagined as local workers drum away on the interior details and put the finishing touches on the outside components. Soon, though, local athletes, coaches and fans will witness the transformation first-hand rather than through an artist’s rendering.

“We’re really looking forward to the day we can officially cut the ribbon, so to speak, and let the community see this vision become a reality,” Porter said. “We’re very proud of the work being done here, and that goes for reasons beyond just the visual aspects and modern functionality of it all.”

What Porter refers to is twofold: the focus on upgrades benefiting the entire community, and the local businesses that have joined forces to get the job done.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
The new entrance of Dodger Stadium is shown here. The sign will be installed at a later date. The project is expected to be finished by May.

“Dodger Stadium and Fort Dodge go hand-in-hand,” Porter said. “As I’ve indicated before, this is a project targeted to improve our entire community. All sports and activities, all users and all ages, whether you’re a Dodger, a St. Edmond Gael or an Iowa Central Triton. This is about our town’s future.

“We wanted the job done right, with personal touches to match those beliefs,” he said. “And that’s where the local businesses come into play. We thought it was super important that people with strong community ties were directly involved, and we all got on the same page. The communication has been strong and consistent throughout the process.”

The $4.865 million overhaul, which spans 8,616 square feet of space, is still on track to be finished by May of this year. Kolacia Construction of Fort Dodge continues to spearhead the project.

“I honestly think this may be the most well-organized and well-coordinated job I’ve ever been a part of,” said Project Superintendent Craig Kolacia, himself a long-time Fort Dodge resident. “There are a lot of very good people on site who have put their heart and soul into making sure this is done right.

“We’re very lucky,” he added. “Every single contractor has done what they’re supposed to do. There have been very few hiccups. The architect (ISG, Inc. from Mankato, Minnesota) has been outstanding to work for and, of course, the Fort Dodge Community School District as well. I think it’s a testament to our businesses here … you aren’t going to just go ‘all local’ for the sake of doing it. When you know the job is going to get done and you can trust the work they do, it’s the best of both worlds.”

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
An area of the new locker rooms at Dodger Stadium is shown here. The $4.865 million overhaul of the stadium, which spans 8,616 square feet of space, is still on track to be finished by May.Kolacia Construction of Fort Dodge is spearheading the project.

Baker Electric, Flooring America, Fort Dodge Asphalt, Hawkeye Masonry, Midstate Plumbing and Heating, Midwest Fence and Gate, Rasch Construction, Stone Creek Landscaping, Cemstone Concrete, Custom Builders Cabinet Shop and Central States Roofing have all been directly involved in the year-long process, along with Denison Drywall.

“It’s been a combination of outstanding work and terrific weather,” the district’s Director of Buildings and Grounds Ryan Utley said. “We’ve built and established strong relationships with these local businesses, which not only take a great deal of pride in what they do, but it’s helped us keep the project running at an affordable cost and even under budget to a certain extent.”

In addition to the new locker rooms, restrooms and a large pavilion area, there will be designated offices for both trainers and officials. A female-only locker room, an expanded concessions area with state-of-the-art heating and cooling, modern fiber lines, upgraded and additional lighting, encompassing cameras and an enhanced security system are all included in the package.

The scoreboard will also be expanded on the north side of the football field, with nine new panels being added to increase the size.

The district is using funds from the physical plant and equipment levy (PPEL), as well as revenue accrued from the state sales tax, to complete the project — the first of its kind since Dodger Stadium opened its doors in 1939.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
The back side of the new Dodger Stadium entrance is shown here. The full project is slated to be finished by May.

A grand opening will be scheduled for and announced this spring.

“We fully understand the importance of successfully completing a highly visible project like this in the heart of our community,” Porter said. “So many of us have a professional and, more importantly, a personal stake in how this turns out. We’re really looking forward to unveiling this to the partners of our community, because I think it will serve its purpose as both a functional and visible addition to a nostalgic landmark that we all respect and admire.”

The History of Dodger Stadium

Dodger Stadium was built as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration plan. The venue officially opened for competition on Oct. 4, 1940. Total project cost was $150,000.

Workers took 385,000 bricks from the old Fort Dodge junior high building on the corner of First Avenue North and 10th Street for the outside-wall structure. Although 60,000 bricks were added to complete the structure, most of the original pieces — now more than 120 years old — are still a part of the framework today.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Interior work is being done on the Dodger Stadium renovation project.

O.C. Pfaff, then president of the Fort Dodge Board of Education, was the point person for the project. Pfaff kept a low profile and shied away from taking credit.

Fort Dodge had formerly played its home football contests at Duncombe Field, next to Duncombe Elementary School.

The baseball field at Dodger Stadium — designed by former Major League hitting coach Lew Fonseca — opened for play in 1943. The plan to install tennis courts, a skating rink, a badminton court and a volleyball court to the grounds never came to fruition; only tennis fit into the property’s long-term plans.

The bleachers combine to hold approximately 5,000 people.

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla
Interior work is being done on the Dodger Stadium renovation project, which is on track to be finished by this May.