Press Box Ahoy!

Late one evening last week, as the sun was about to set on Cardinal Field, Ross Hamann toured the new press box with a visitor. On the ground floor, entered from the track, he showed off the new storage area, a new home for the teams' outfits and equipment.

Then, he walked upstairs to the top floor, pointing to the places from where the coaches, team videographers, officials, media and VIPs will be breaking from or taking in the WP football games this fall. The press box structure, which has been months in the making and two years in the planning, still has exposed studs, beams and sheeting. The metal roofing and siding were expected to go up this past weekend.

There was no question that the shape and function of the press box are taking shape. Peering through the viewing windows from these lofty new heights, it was almost as though project captain Hamann, at the helm of a large ship, could see land in the distance.

Finally, the Cardinals, their coaches and their community will have a facility worthy of their rise as the best team of its division in the state. With the exception of better bathroom facilities and possi- bly a larger concession stand, Cardinal Field is now at par with simi- lar venues in the region, particularly with its new lighting funded by the school district and the high school's Associated Student Body.

Hamann is hopeful the press box can be used by the first WP home game on Aug. 31, even if there will be a lot finishing touches left. A formal dedication may not happen deeper in to the season.

Like any successful captain, Hamann is the first to recognize he would have never gotten to cross these sometimes stormy seas without his crew. He's quick to tip his hat to his lieutenants or as he likes to say his "all-star volunteers:" Jim Davidson, Andy Winnett, Louis Gagnon, Jim Wilson, Fred Hamann and Mike Townsend. Five major sponsors contributed $2,500 each to the $25,000 budget: Sterling Savings, Les Schwab Tires, Waitsburg High School Class of 1972, Doyle Electric and the Times. Cycle Oregon launched the project with a $5,000 grant, followed in size by a $2,800 gift from the Waitsburg Lions Club, a $2,000 grant from Pacific Power, a $1,000 gift from Broetje Orchards and ongoing financial and in- kind support from the Waitsburg Boosters Club. Other financial contributors include the WP Quarterback Club, Chris and Christine Pearson, Tom and Anita Baker, WHS classes of 1980, 1983, 2009 and 2014, Dr. Randy Pearson and Zibzoom.com. In-kind and equip- ment donors include the McGregor Co., Pape Machinery, Coyote Custom Cabinets, Hays Electric, Pacific Power, Perkins Brothers Construction, All-in-One Enterprises, Sherwin Williams Paint, Rodda Paint and Mike Townsend.

Levi Ferraro of Ferraro Excavation, Robert McNickol of All-in- One Enterprises, Lyle Perkins and Bill Perkins of Perkins Broth- ers Construction, Charlie Barron of Walla Walla Electric, Brian Richards of Sherwin Williams Paint and Joe Hays of Hays Electric provided knowledge and expertise.

And last but not least is a long list of local volunteers of all ages who swung hammers, brought lunch, hoisted materials and generally helped run the ship: Denise Winnett, Micah Winnett, Dan Cole, Vickie Hamann, Kimmie Hamann, Larry Alexenko, Luke Alexenko, Mike Dill, Alex Dill, Colter Mohney, Pat Mohney, Tom Matthews, Shaun Matthews, Jeff Bartlow, Nate Bartlow, Lori Bart- low, Larry Johnson, Wayne Peterson, Orville Branson, Max Pinion, T. Pierson, Dane Henze, Neil Henze, John Brown, Brian Segraves, Bill Clemens, Keith Ingles, Leo Doyle, Joe Hays, Charlie Barron, Tim Matthews, Doug Hinds and Scott Branson.

As reported by the Times before, the project has had its delays, in part because of the unforeseen challenges of its unique nature and in part because it relied on dozens volunteers fitting work into their busy schedules. But this last "shortcoming," if you can call it that, also gives this effort its biggest strength. Captain Hamann predicts the press box will come in under budget and will still be ready to host the first visiting team, coaches, referees and media at the season's opener.

When that game gets underway, a lot of attendees will be able to say (or at least take a moment remind themselves) that they per- sonally contributed to this major improvement and deservedly take pride in their collective accomplishment.

We wish Captain Hamann and his crew smooth sailing until then, and will see them when they arrive at their home port!