Photo by Deb Gau Marshall Parks and Recreation Superintendent Preston Stensrud said the city plans to build a new third base dugout, similar in style to the newly-completed first base dugout, seen here. On Tuesday, the city recognized the Marshall Baseball Association for a $75,000 contribution toward the project.

MARSHALL — The city of Marshall is planning to continue facilities updates at Legion Field, with help from a $75,000 community donation.

On Tuesday, the Marshall City Council recognized the Marshall Baseball Association for its contribution to projects like a new dugout, restrooms and an elevated viewing area.

“It takes a partnership to bring in the teams, bring in the tournaments, run the (Legion Field) facility,” said Marshall Parks and Recreation Superintendent Preston Stensrud.

With community partners like the Marshall Baseball Association, the Marshall Area Youth Baseball Association, and Southwest Minnesota State University, “We’re kind of like a well-oiled machine,” Stensrud said. “It just works really well, and we appreciate their continued support.”

The updates at Legion Field will be financed with a maximum of $840,000 in property tax abatements. The city council voted Tuesday to pass a resolution approving the tax abatement. However, at the same time city staff pointed out that the $75,000 donation from the baseball association will lower the actual abatement amount.

The Marshall Baseball Association has also made donations toward Legion Field improvements in the past.

Stensrud said the city of Marshall has been focusing on making improvements to Legion Field over the past couple of years. Last year, the city completed improvements to the Legion Field backstop and a new dugout on the first base side of the field.

“The next phase will be the third base dugout, which will include upgraded bathrooms, some storage, and elevated seating,” Stensrud said.

Stensrud said Wednesday that the third base dugout will have the same style and green trim as the first base dugout. However, behind the new dugout will be new restrooms and storage rooms. Above the new dugout building, there will also be an elevated viewing area for spectators. Stensrud estimated that the viewing area will have room for about 225 to 250 people. It will replace the current bleachers on the third base side of Legion Field, he said.

Stensrud told the city council that the plan will be to complete the project so the new dugout and other facilities are ready for the spring of 2027.

Last year, around 95 games were held at Legion Field, Stensrud said. The new backstop and dugout had received positive feedback from teams, he said.

At Tuesday’s council meeting, Russ Sanow of the Marshall Baseball Association said the group had also received good feedback from teams.

“Our fields are in great shape, and our facilities are good. We’re really looking forward to improving that, and the bathrooms of course will be a really nice addition,” Sanow said. He said the Marshall Baseball Association looked forward to continuing its support for baseball in Marshall, and hoped to bring in more tournaments in the future.