When opposing teams come to Monticello High School starting next fall, they will notice a complete transformation of its outdoor facilities.

Starting at the turn of the year, the district began a multi-million dollar upgrade of its outdoor sports complexes to all turf. District Athletic Director Dan Sheehan on the WHOW Morning Show Monday told Regional Radio the football field was done first and it has completely opened the door for more community sports activities to take place at the high school.

Sheehen reminds this is a two-phased project for the district. The first phase is going to be installation of turf on the football and soccer fields as well as a renovation of the track complex, which are already complete. Next is the finishing of the turfing of the baseball and softball fields.

Next for Monticello schools will be the exploration of a sports weight lifting facility. Sheehan points to what Tolono Unity and Williamsville have done to their facilities as the standard in central Illinois.

The Monticello School Board is currently taking up the sports weight lifting facility project with hopes of having that approved as soon as the end of the summer.

Sheehan encourages those interested in seeing the progress of their facilities to follow them on Twitter at the handle @SagesAthletics or follow them on Facebook.