Dietz Stadium

KINGSTON – In the wake of the Bruderhof Community offering to pick up the tab on replacing the turf at Dietz Stadium, the Kingston Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to authorize the issuance of a $125,000 bond to cover the remainder of the renovation costs.

“The reason for their contribution is family based,” said Mayor James Sottile of the Bruderhof Community’s large investment into the public facility. “They want to be able to have a facility where parents can take their children and where children can grow their athletic abilities in a beautiful setting.”

Because the Bruderhof Community has offered to cover the full cost of replacing the turf, all that is needed are funds to replace the track which have been estimated at a maximum of approximately $260,000.

Of this $260,000, Sottile said $200,000 has already been acquired through the Dietz Commission leaving an estimated maximum remainder of $60,000 to be split 50/50 between the city and the school system.

Although the city does not intend to spend more $30,000 on this project, Sottile said he requested that a bond be authorized for $125,000.

“The position the city has to send is that we have enough money in place to cover the entire cost of the track, both the city side and the school system side.”  

According to Council President James Noble, the council voted unanimously “yes” because, “the cost to the private donation is the majority of the cost to the city taxpayer.” He noted that renovations to Dietz Stadium and its turf have proven quite costly in the past and taking advantage of such a significant donation is a wise choice for the city.