Sports complex in hands of Gillett School District

The Gillett School Board meeting voted unanimously April 15 to approve the donation of the Orby Jones Sports Complex from the city of Gillett.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our district to own this amazing property,” said Gillett District Superintendent Todd Hencsik. “In conjunction and collaboration with the city of Gillett, both entities felt that the main user of the Orby Jones Sports Complex is the district and the community youth baseball and softball leagues.”

The facility includes three ball diamonds, a park shelter and playground equipment.

Hencsik said with the sports complex, students in the school district will have more access to improved physical activity.

“Our students will have increased access during physical education classes, sports practices and have the opportunities for outdoor educational activities,” he said.

According to Hencsik, the school district was paying $3,000 per year to the city to rent the sports complex. When the city raised the rental price to $7,500 for this coming year, Hencsik asked how much would it cost if the school district took it over. The city said zero.

“They will turn around and pay us $5,000 per year for the next three years,” Hencsik said.

That $5,000 will go toward the maintenance of the complex.

The acquisition of the sports complex will be cost-neutral to taxpayers.

The sports complex was originally dedicated to the youth of the city of Gillett in 1998 by Orby and Betty Jones.

Hencsik said because the students at the school district were the main users of the sports complex and because the city was going to raise the rental price, the school board felt taking it over was a natural decision.

“We are extremely excited to have the Orby Jones Sports Complex as part of the Gillett School District,” said Hencsik.

Hencsik also mentioned that the school district will keep the tradition alive of the youth continuing to use the sports complex.

“This sports complex will be for the youth,” said Hencsik. “We want to continue to use it it the way that Orby Jones had envisioned it to be used.”