ASHLAND — Another upgrade to Freer Field will begin in April as construction for the park’s newest multipurpose facility is set to commence.
The new 3,000 square-foot building will feature several public amenities.
Classical Construction LLC from Apple Creek was the bid-winning contractor earlier this month. The goal is to complete construction of the facility by December, 2021.
“We’re finally underway,” Ashland County Park District administrative director Stephanie Featheringill said. “The building itself will have a new office space, a public restroom facility, an indoor reservable room and an outdoor covered pavilion area.
“This is really exciting for us.”
The exterior of the building will be white with a stone façade and metal roof. It will feature a cupola with a hot air balloon weathervane atop the structure — and aptly so since Freer Field is home to the Ashland Balloonfest.
Restrooms will be accessible to the public daily from dawn to dusk. The room will have a capacity for 50 people and can host educational programs from the Ashland County Parks District.
It will include a kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave, and sink, as well as Wi-Fi and some sort of entertainment system. Reservations for the room can be made throughout the year.
“It’ll be a really nice place right in the heart of Ashland City that people can come gather and enjoy,” Featheringill said.
Featheringill and a part-time office manager will occupy the offices in the new building. They currently reside in the service center owned by the Ashland County Commissioners. The commissioners intend to transition the Service Center to the Career Center, so relocation was inevitable.
The building will be located on the Park Street side of Freer Field up against the woods next to the paved trail. During construction, a portion of the paved trail will be closed, and a detoured route will be installed.
