By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
A proposed community baseball field memorializing a spirited, passionate Whitewater boy who died all too soon came one step closer to reality when the Common Council recently discussed and took action on a number of details.
Nearly three years ago, Treyton Kilar, then 6, died in a car crash. A drunken driver struck the Kilar family’s vehicle Sept. 1, 2010, near the intersection of Highway 20 and County Highway N.
In the years since, members of the Kilar family and other community supporters have been involved in a vigorous fundraising campaign to honor Treyton, a boy who had a vivid love of baseball in his short life.
Not long after his death, plans were announced for a baseball field known as the Treyton Kilar Field of Dreams. It will be located near Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road.
Matt Amundson, Whitewater parks and recreation director, provided an update on cost estimates and proposed work for the site, which will include a completely fenced 225- to 250-foot youth field with concrete block dugouts, bleachers and a scoreboard.
While coming before aldermen at the council’s July 16 meeting, Amundson said there are three issues under consideration at the moment, including the scope of the baseball field itself, adjoining parking lots and a path and the possible relocation of a water line that runs through the site.
The bulk of the Treyton Kilar Field of Dreams development will be funded by donations. However, Amundson’s tentative figures revealed the city would be responsible for $321,982 for the parking lots and path – a figure that did not include engineering costs.
The Common Council approved funding and plans associated with the baseball field and water line relocation, but held off taking action on the parking lots because Amundson’s numbers were fluid.
“I’d like to see more information before we make a decision on it,” Common Council President Patrick Singer said. “Right now, we don’t have a lot to work off.”
Amundson said he will be bringing further details to the council at the next regular meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 6.
