Fri Sep 13 00:36:00 UTC 2024: ## Keokuk High School Unveils Renovated Track and Field Complex
**KEOKUK, IA** – The Keokuk High School community celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated track and field complex on Thursday evening. The event, which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and student performances, marked the completion of the first phase of a two-phase project.
The complex, now known as the Jim Vandenberg Field and Jim Kersten Track, was renamed in 2021 in honor of the longtime coaches and teachers at KHS. The track features six lanes with an eight-lane 100-meter home stretch, while the football/soccer field now boasts a new turf surface and improved drainage system.
The event was met with excitement from both students and community members. Superintendent Dr. Kathy Dinger highlighted the importance of the project in bringing the community together. “To come full circle, I can’t tell you what it means to be a part of something that is bigger than ourselves and will bring so much to the community,” she said.
Activities Director Zach Summers expressed his pride in the district’s commitment to providing top-notch facilities for its students and athletes. “We are lucky to have a board that recognizes the importance of our facilities,” he stated.
The project, which cost an estimated $4 million, was funded through a combination of community support and district resources. The second phase of the project, slated to begin in the spring of 2026, will include renovations to the press box, concession area, bathrooms, and viewing area.
The newly renovated complex is expected to become a focal point for community events, drawing in residents from Keokuk and beyond. With the 2024 football team’s home opener taking place on Friday night, the community is eager to see the Chiefs compete on their new field.
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