McDermott Fields Proposal Sent To Advisory Park Board

The majority of the Fond du Lac City Council didn’t oppose a proposal to lease space in McDermott Park for the construction of three athletic fields by Winnebago Lutheran Academy, but sent the matter to the Advisory Park Board for a recommendation. That was done to give the public more opportunity to weigh in on the proposal for a 50 year lease. Andrew Hayes lives in the neighborhood and told the Council they value the tremendous amount of green space in the park. David Schroeder is the principal at WLA. He says for the school the construction of two softball diamonds, a football-soccer practice field and a parking lot is a $500,000 investment. But he says it’s something City residents would also be able to enjoy the use of. City Manager Joe Moore says what the City gets out of it is more athletic fields and a parking lot, but no money would be exchanged during the lease. The Advisory Park Board is being asked to come up with a recommendation on the lease by the end of June.