Burke's dream of fence now a reality

A new semi-permanent fence has been installed around the Amboy High School softball field thanks to the brainstorm of Bill Burke, Amboy, and the Amboy Booster Club who paid for the fence and assisted Burke in the installation. The fence will be removed at the end of the season so that the field may become part of the football practice field. Left to right, are Carolyn Nelson, Kelly Whitman, Pat Burke, Mark Kaleel, Levi Kaleel, Bill Burke and Sam Jones. Those who assisted but not pictured are Kiara Kaleel, Kaitlyn Liebing, Brooke Lovgren, Tyson Powers, Steve Doege, Kassie Doege and Linda Klein. (Photo contributed)

AMBOY - Approximately two years ago, Bill Burke of Amboy, began dreaming about a new portable fence for the softball diamond outfield at Amboy High School. A new fence was needed as the current fence was an old, dilapidated snow fence, which was put up and taken down each year at the start and end of the softball season This needed to be done as the outfield became part of the football practice field each year. Burke visited other area fields, did his research, created his design and decided to make his dream a reality by paying for the fence himself.

The Amboy Booster Club learned of this project, stepped in and offered to help install and pay for the fence at a cost of just under $2,800.

The installation took approximately two weeks to complete with the help of the club and others from the community.

The chain link fence is 470 ft. long with approximately 155 ft. of permanent fencing on the Metcalf Street side of the field with the remaining 315 ft. semi-permanent. The top of the fence is covered with corrugated tile for safety.

At the end of the softball season, the semi-permanent fence will be taken down, rolled up and stored. The 50 galvanized posts will be removed, the sleeves will be capped, and the holes filled. The process will be reversed in the spring.

"The putting up and taking down of the fence will take a little time each year but so did the snow fence. The kids deserve a nice field to play on," said Burke.