W-MU invites community to grand opening

WINFIELD ? Winfield-Mt. Union will be hosting a grand opening cookout in celebration of the school?s brand new patio addition on August 3.

The community is welcome to attend the event from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the patio itself, located just south of W-MU's baseball field and west of Winfield?s Prairie Ag Coop. There will be a short presentation about the new patio and how it will serve the community as well as bratwurst, hotdogs, chips, sides and drinks for those who attend.

The patio was made possible through a $2,000 Lowe?s Toolbox for Education Grant. The grant covered the costs of construction materials with all general and skilled labor and equipment being volunteered or donated.

The patio will serve as an extension to W-MU?s new Prairie Ag Community Field. Both the community field and patio are new additions to the W-MU Sports Complex.

The field will provide space for high school football, youth football and soccer as well as various community activities. The nearby patio will also provide an area for coaches and athletes to rest and for spectators to watch.

"In the future, I can see a soccer team finishing their final home game of the season on the Prairie Ag Field and then celebrating with teammates, family and coaches by hosting a cookout on the patio,? W-MU superintendent Pat Coen said. ?It can also be used during Crooked Creek Days as well as for educational purposes as it could serve as an outdoor classroom that would provide many aspects a traditional room cannot. Teachers will have the opportunity to immerse students into hands-on instruction and exploration."