1 February 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — When the Jackie Robinson statue is returned to McAdams Park, League 42 founder Bob Lutz is hopeful that improved surveillance, cameras, and lighting will be added.
“It was already a big attraction, especially for our league, but now, with all this notoriety, people are going to want to see that. I think it’s incumbent on us and the city to partner to make that Jackie Robinson pavilion as attractive as we possibly can.” Executive Director of League 42 Bob Lutz said.
He’s hoping the city will help with the improvements at the park.
The non-profit also wants to use donated funds to add to its education resources.
“We’re devoted to improving the lives of kids, and we think we have a really diverse, interesting variety of educational programs that can accomplish that goal,” said Lutz.
An education committee member of League 42 says it’s important to help young athletes to have a place to learn a grow on and off the field.
“We want to have kids have a great experience and know what it’s like to be a competitor, not just on the ball field but in life and excel academically.” League 42 Education Committee Member Bradley Dyer Jr. said.
Lutz has other plans in place for those donations that have surpassed $150,000, beyond helping get a new statue. The goal is to improve their baseball facilities by adding new lights and turf to the fields. Those improvements are estimated to cost around $1.2 Million dollars.
“The lights are expensive, but we need them badly, and the artificial turf is expensive, but we also need that. We’ve done a fantastic job with improving our baseball facilities. These are the final steps,” said Lutz.
There is no timetable for when the new statue will be completed. On Wednesday, Major League Baseball said they will pay for the full cost of the new statue.
Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, would have been Robinson’s 150 birthday.