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We are storytellers, capturing the lives of our residents in the Juniata Valley. Recording their spoken words for these pages for posterity's sake, standing the test of time for all to read.
We are fortunate to report on the stories of people like Josh Looney, a former Lewistown Area High School football player who was compelled enough about the multi-purpose stadium project that he spoke to school board members at a recent Mifflin County School Board meeting before they cast an important vote for the project.
Looney shared many of his experiences about playing at Mitchell Field in Lewistown. The venerable stadium has been renovated and resodded to the point where the improvements don't last.
Looney's words resonated because he spoke of his first-hand experiences. Much of what he said that night is included here. He passionately recalled a game early in the season after the turf was upgraded, and how several inches of rain were dumped onto the field.
Looney explained how his hand squished on the ground when he lined up, disappearing into the soaked soil. His jersey became more like a dishrag, sopping up all the water.
By the end of the game, all the hard work that went into making Mitchell Field look incredible was gone as the green grass had turned completely brown.
Unfortunately, the condition of the field was in such disrepair that other sports teams lost their opportunities to have senior nights under the stadium lights.
When it came time for graduation, parents who could not walk long distances came extra early to get parking spots that were closer to the stadium. Once inside, they also found a stadium that was not readily accessible.
After all the pomp and circumstance, graduation photos were filled with backdrops of yellow caution tape from the visitor's sidelines, which were deemed unsafe and condemned.
The stadium continues to deteriorate, the building paint flakes off, the musky smell turns to visible mildew and the concession stands are downtrodden.
Looney begged for board members to vote for a change that is so desperately needed. For the most part, they agreed with him. A new stadium would welcome parents and grandparents, who could leave their lawn chairs at home and enter stands with accessibility for those with mobility issues.
The soccer, field hockey and football teams should also have the same opportunity to play in a stadium environment at home and not just on the road, he said.
A new stadium provides local businesses with a new source of revenue with the likelihood of track invitationals, district playoff games and band competitions. These events want modern facilities with plenty of parking, which is why Mifflin County hasn't hosted them in the past.
But now is the time. The price tag for the same complex a year or two from now could be millions more. Looney said the $15.1 million price tag seems daunting, but there is a real and tangible cost of doing nothing. The real cost comes in the form of investments and upgrades and endless repairs to current facilities that are outdated.
Ground crews must maintain additional practice and game fields, and student-athletes will miss instructional time as they are bussed around the county for practices and games.
Intangible costs can be seen in the form of grandparents and those with disabilities who do not feel comfortable and cannot attend games due to inadequate parking and stadium access.
There's never been a better opportunity right now as businesses and community members have shown with their enthusiasm for this project. As Looney said, the time to invest in the students and community is now.
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Greg Williams is a reporter and Sunday Night Editor for The Sentinel. A Mifflin County native, he has been writing for The Sentinel since 1991.