Submitted by Chehalis Foundation
The Chehalis Foundation and Chehalis School District, have entered into a partnership to renovate the boy’s baseball field at WF West High School. This facility will serve the baseball community. The facility will give the players the ability to practice, and hold games and tournaments regardless of the weather. Crews will break ground in late 2022.
Jenny Collins, Chehalis Foundation Executive Director chairs the steering committee. She stated “Tyler McCallum and Robert Pehl are accomplished business leaders in our community. It’s a big boost for this project to have them on board.”
Tyler McCallum, President of McCallum Rock Drilling says: “This is an exciting time for Bearcat Baseball and the Chehalis community. These improvements will change the utilization of the baseball field completely, allowing usage to expand from just a few months a year to year-round and putting us on the map for future tournaments and events. All of which drives funding to our community and, most importantly, the kids.”
During the initial plans for this facility, the following benefits were factors in the decision to move forward;
- Enhancing the area’s appeal as a sports, tourist and entertainment destination
- Providing a first-class multi-purpose venue for area residents and out-of-town attendees
- Increasing the overall quality of life and livability of the area
- Capitalizing on existing and planned tourism efforts
- Fostering relationships with area educational institutions
- Providing venues for the expansion of existing educational/sports programs and the development of new program in our local schools
- Generating additional economic activity in terms of spending, jobs, and earnings
Each of these benefits was important in assessing the overall impact of the proposed facility.
The steering committee is comprised of an impressive array of members including Tyler McCallum, Robert Pehl, John Rothlin, Allen Unzelman, Donnie Bunker, Rich Bunker, Bryan Bullock, Justin Wilson, Tracey Cox, Jeff Johnson, and Matt Noren.
Robert Pehl, Vice President of I-5 Auto Group states, “Baseball is not just a sport; it has the ability to teach kids some of the most important skills in life in a way that no other sport or class can. I look at this future field as a classroom or workshop to help raise the next generation of leaders in our community.”
Pledges and donations to this facility are currently at $1.3 million with a preliminary estimated project cost of $2 million. The official fundraising campaign kicks off this month. For more information about this project; contact Jenny Collins at 360.508.6572 or jennylyncollins@gmail.com.
