A TIF fund that encompasses Clinton Schools is to thank for an announced upgrade of outdoor sports facilities at Clinton High School. 

Last week, the district announced it would be installing turf on the entirety of the varsity baseball and softball diamonds. Clinton City Administrator Taylor Baxter explains the TIF district for that part of the community encompasses Clinton Schools and some of the funds out of that TIF district are being redirected to the school district through an intergovernmental agreement.

Clinton Schools Superintendent Drew Goebel is very excited about this opportunity and notes it was very much something that came out of nowhere for them. The district is amid a multi-phase facilities improvement plan focused on the football facility. 

Clinton Schools Athletic Director Matt Koeppel is very excited about this opportunity and believes it is another example of Clinton putting itself on the map for top-notch facilities in the area.

According to Goebel, part of the agreement for this project is that the City of Clinton and the youth baseball league will have access to these facilities during the summer. Goebel indicates the School district is happy to be a team player in this effort.

For many years, Clinton spring sports have battled rain outs which limits its ability to play games even on days when the weather is suitable for outdoor activities. Keoppel believes it will almost entirely eliminate those circumstances.

According to Goebel, this will be another two-phased project because, after the baseball and softball seasons this coming summer, the second phase will turf just the infields of the JV baseball and softball fields.

Goebel stresses this will be 100 percent funded by the TIF funds that come from the City of Clinton. 

Baxter, Goebel, and Koeppel all look forward to the impact this will have on the City of Clinton and Clinton schools.