History:The Swanson Sports Complex was completed in 1986 with ground first being broke in 1985. The complex was started by the Swanson brothers of Paullina who donated the money to build the facility. Community member Frew Brown, the school’s FFA program, and other volunteers planted the original trees and shrubs found around the complex. 2016 will mark the thirtieth year that Swanson Sports Complex was completed. Since 1988, the first season of South O’ Brien baseball, the Wolverine Baseball Program has played all their home games at the Swanson Sports Complex.
|
Renovations:
In the Spring of 2013 some major renovations took place at Swanson. The chain link fence dugouts for both the baseball and softball teams were replaced with concrete dugouts that have a more modern design. The baseball dugouts are open with a short fence in the front of the dugout while the softball dugouts are enclosed. Also, a crow's nest was added to each field setting behind the main set of bleachers. Up top of the crow's nest is a place for the media and announcer. The bottom level of the crow's nest is storage for the baseball and softball teams. This helped free up some space in the utility shed/concession stand which was repainted in the renovation process. To each side of the main bleacher now sets pads of cement for fans to sit on which replaced the pea gravel that used to be there. Finally, the last major upgrade in 2013 was the new irrigation system that was installed. Caretaker Heath Reichle has been putting on the final touches to the renovation. Reichle has been busy putting updating the landscaping around the dugouts, utility sheds, and other buildings and landmarks. In 2014 the flag pole was moved a new location upon requests of many fans. The flag pole was moved from the entrance of the complex to the green space in between the two ball fields so it would be more visible. We would like to thank the school and the workers involved in turning Swanson Sports Complex into one of the best fields in the War Eagle.