‘Let there be light’ at the ‘Komp’

City of Minneota takes step to re-wire the failing light system at K. P. Kompelien Field.

When the lights went out at K. P. Kompelien Field, it was determined the lights could be “rigged” by Ottertail Power, but only on a temporary fix basis. Ottertail officials indicated it would be necessary to install a new service line to feed the light towers and remove the existing transformers.

A bid from Frank’s Electric was for $21,164. Monday night the city council agreed to pay half of the wiring replacement costs or just over $10,500, impending approval of the plan by the school board, which would pay the other half.

“There is a wire in a conduit that shortened out,” said Larry Buysse of the Minneota School Board. He said the transformers are old. “Those old transformers the company will take,” said Buysse.

The City of Minneota owns the field but the school district uses the field and has been maintaining the facility.

School Board Member Jeff Buysse said Ottertail will eventually pull down the current wires because they are dangerous — so they must be fixed.

Larry Buysse presented a list of items the school district has paid for by the Minneota School District the last 10 years.

He listed the light repair; scoreboard; dugouts; concession stand; concrete work; fencing and bleachers at a cost of $67,900.

He said other costs not itemized include fertilizer and spray; water pump repair; agri-line, clay, chalk; insect control; bulb replacement and labor mowing.

The city and school have operated under an agreement made many years ago. It outlined the fact the city owns the property and the school is to maintain it.

“The $21,000 needs to be spent or there will be no lights down there,” said Mayor John Rolbiecki.

“There will be one main transformer on the ground,” said Larry Buysse.

“The recommendation was the city consider picking up half the cost of the $21,000,” said Mayor Rolbiecki.

“It’s your property. We’d like a plan going forward,” said Buysse.

“It is a unique place. We use it about half the time but we cover about 99 percent of the cost,” said Buysse. Activities at K. P. Kompelien Field include football, baseball games, Mudhen baseball, American Legion and Jr. American Legion games and Park and Recreation games.

“It’s a unique opportunity — the school uses it and the city can use it,” said Jeff Buysse. Larry Buysse said the city and school use the facility about 50-50 and a new plan should be developed for the future.

“Councilman Tim Koppien said the immediate needs were the light project to get the lights turned on. Our proposal is to pay 50 percent.”

He suggested solving the immediate problem, then working on a future agreement between the city and the school board.

Councilman Travis Gillund asked for the expectation of the school district toward this project. “I can’t speak for all the other school board members but I would bet the board will be willing to accept the 50 percent cost share,” said Jeff Buysse.

Mayor Rolbiecki said the city should also consider putting in water to the ballpark by installing a hydrant at a cost of about $3,200.

Currently, water is used from the Yellow Medicine River. The council also approved the water project. TE Underground of Tyler will do the water project.

Monday night the council also approved a request for a zoning permit for the Minneota Public School.

The permit will allow Kompelien Field, to add to the third base dugout for an 58x18 feet, 2 inches by 18 feet dugout addition.

The addition will include a press box, public seating and equipment storage in the dugout.

Funds for the project are being raised by the Minneota Baseball Association and the Mudhens.

Byron Higgin

Contact Us

The Minneota Mascot
Address: 201 N. Jefferson
Minneota, MN 56264

Phone:(507) 872-6492