Colfax Rotary Club levels out playing fields

COLFAX - The Colfax Rotary Club started leveling the Little League Field playing fields Friday morning, August 4.

Rotary Club member Allen Kirkpatrick explained that the first time they leveled the in-field was when fellow Rotary Club member Mike Parrish came to Colfax.

"I came to town in 1982," Parrish said, adding that it was around 1985 or 1986 that they first leveled the playing fields.

"Then we did this again about 15 years ago," Kirkpatrick said.

Kirkpatrick explained that the dirt gets dragged over the years and builds up a dirt berm along the edge of the grass.

Jim Allenbach drove the city grader, as Kirkpatrick used a sod cutter to cut up some grass to make a straight line.

On the other side of the fence, Kirkpatrick added that Steve Larkin had the city backhoe and was using it to haul the sod off.

Kirkpatrick added that later that afternoon, Ben Kovanda from Palouse River Rock came down and ground up the remaining sod to get a good level, using a laser level to level it out.

Kovanda stated that the machine was a skid steer with Harley rake.

"I'm just happy to help them and be a part of the project," Kovanda said.

Kirkpatrick explained that the Rotary Club's next steps are to bring in more dirt, level the outfield, and put the bases back in.

"Somewhere in the first part of September, we're going to hydro-seed," Kirkpatrick said, adding that they had the option of sodding it. He added that hydroseeding is cheaper at about 15 cents per square foot, and they decided they could get it more level with hydroseeding.

The Rotary Club's other plans for the Little League Field include painting the restrooms and building a shed for the softball field. "Painting could start as early as this week or next week," he said, adding that the shed is planned for early this fall.