![Kiel Athletic Complex Now Open](https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/1960/files/2019/09/20190830_180748.jpg)
A beautiful late summer night greeted a huge crowd for the dedication of a $3.1 million Athletic Complex in Kiel on Friday. Mike Dressler is in his 7th year as the Raiders varsity football coach and talked with us shortly before kickoff in the home opener against Ripon. “It’s a dream come true. I never thought I’d actually see something like this and I’m very happy for all of our athletic programs to have such an incredible facility to be able to work and play in.”
Athletic Director Steve Walsh talked about the excitement surrounding the project, “You can feel the energy. It’s a really special time for the community. We had a tailgate party starting at 5 o’clock and there were people here at 5 already claiming their seats.”
Kiel Superintendent of Schools, Brad Ebert, is also proud of the upgrades, “Synthetic turf, brand new bleachers, new press box, bathrooms, concessions and most of the work out here was done by local people in our area and our students. The students, in particular, re-did the press box.”
The athletic complex improvements were paid for by taxpayers after the passage of a referendum last November. Ground will be broken in the first half of 2020 for a $7-million Performing Arts Center nearby, also approved by Kiel voters.