Progress on the WHS girls’ softball field, which is expected be ready by spring, 2026.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
WESTFIELD — During public participation at the City Council meeting on Nov. 20, Councilor Ralph Figy gave an update on the progress of the new athletic fields at the Westfield High School, paid for by an $11 million donation from Westfield Gas & Electric’s Whip City Fiber.
Through the partnership with Westfield Gas & Electric, Whip City Fiber, the city of Westfield, and Westfield Public Schools, the new facilities will include a stadium with a lighted track and all-sport turf field, and a refurbished women’s softball field and Boardman field at Westfield High School.
Funding is being provided from the Whip City Fiber division of WG&E, which pledged to give $1 million annually for a total of $11 million, as an addition to its annual payment in lieu of taxes to the city.
Figy said he encountered people on the campaign trail confused about the funding for the athletic fields. “Not one penny of city taxes. All through the generosity of Westfield Gas & Electric. It’s an earmark. We can’t use the money for anything else,” he said.
Figy then showed a slideshow of recent drone photos of the progress on the fields, with the softball field the furthest along. Mayor Mike McCabe said the softball and Boardman fields are expected to be ready for use in the spring of 2026, and the stadium by August of 2026.
The work is being done by Mountain View, Inc., which also renovated the tennis fields next to the softball field.
Figy said the softball field will have dirt on the infield and turf in the outfield. He said the contractor told him that the rocks in the field were the worst he had ever seen, and he was amazed that even crab grass would grow.
Regarding the progress on the stadium, Figy showed the outline of the eight-lane Olympic-size track. He said events would be held inside the track, so there would be no reason to interrupt a running event for the high jump.
Figy said both goal posts are also now up at the stadium. “It’s really starting to take shape,” he said.
“This is a game-changing innovation for our kids for generations to come. Thanks to everyone for making this happen,” McCabe said after the meeting.
