Donors Fund New Waitsburg Press Box

WAITSBURG - The Cardinals Booster Club has reached its goal of raising at least $25,000 for the construction of a press box and equipment storage building behind the bleachers on Cardinal Field.

With last week's grant of $2,000 by Pacific Power and the recent press box sponsorship of $2,500 from Sterling Savings Bank, the club has hit its target for the fundraising that started very early this year after it received a $5,000 donation from the Oregon Community Foundation, the charitable arm of Cycle Oregon.

Since it began raising money, the Cardinals Booster Club has brought in thousands of dollars through benefit events, individual donations and corporate sponsorships. Aside from Sterling Savings Bank, corporate sponsors include the WHS Class of '72, Les Schwab and the Times.

The sponsorship package is a 10-year arrangement that includes special seating and announcements during home games.

Other backers include the WP Quarterback Club, the Waitsburg Lions Club, Doyle Electric, Broetje Orchards' First Fruit and Washington State Penitentiary Employees Association.

The building is a muchneeded addition to school sports programs.

Enclosed seating would offer shelter for scorekeepers, coaches and guests for 10 high school varsity and junior varsity football games, three middle school football games, track and field timing and coaches observation, baseball games observation and scoring.

Construction will start in the spring of 2012, Club President Ross Hamann said.