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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dan R. Lang
Phone: (636) 755-5303
Email: Dan.Lang@dardenneprairie.org


Area Youth ‘Swing Into Action’ at New Dardenne Prairie Athletic Complex

[Dardenne Prairie, MO – April 13, 2021] The City of Dardenne Prairie unveiled its new $3 million athletic complex during a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 12. The Dardenne Prairie Athletic Complex features three renovated baseball/softball fields, four pickleball courts, new dugouts, new LED lighting, new restrooms, a walking trail, perimeter fencing, backstops, an enlarged and paved parking area and more.

The new athletic complex was financed by revenue from a half-cent sales tax that was approved by the voters of Dardenne Prairie in 2017 to enable the City to expand Parks & Recreation facilities and programs. This new athletic complex was also made possible with support from the Dardenne Athletic Association (DAA), which purchased the land for the original 4.5-acre ballfields from Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Gentemann for $1,500 in 1953 and maintained the fields and operated the leagues until the City of Dardenne Prairie assumed operations in 2016. In 2019, the City purchased an additional 2 acres from the Gentemanns’ daughters. In 2020, the DAA donated the original 4.5 acres to the City, bringing the total acreage for the new athletic complex to 6.5 acres.

“For more than 60 years, hundreds of community volunteers have worked tirelessly to ensure that the youth of Dardenne Prairie had a place to learn the basics of the game, as well as the value of teamwork and good sportmanship,” said Mayor David C. Zucker. “I’m proud that the City of Dardenne Prairie is continuing that legacy, and I’m confident that our successors will build upon it for generations to come.”

Several members of the City of Dardenne Prairie Board of Aldermen were in attendance, as well as volunteers from the DAA. Dardenne Prairie resident Nick Shaner brought his two sons so that they could see a bit of local history as it was being unveiled. Shaner’s 11-year-old son, Gabe, was excited to play in the inaugural game later that evening.

“I think it’s going to be really fun, because the new fields are really nice,” the young pitcher said.

The Dardenne Prairie Athletic Complex will welcome more than 1,900 players on 140 local teams from the New Horizons Youth Baseball and Softball League this spring and through summer. More than 30 teams and 450 players have registered to play as the home teams in the City of Dardenne Prairie. The league also includes teams from Lake Saint Louis, Wentzville, New Melle and Wright City.

“We’re creating memories for a lifetime,” said Bill Cohen, President of the DAA. “For all those playing here tonight, and for all those to come.”

The Dardenne Prairie Athletic Complex is located next to City Hall at 2032 Hanley Rd., Dardenne Prairie, MO, 63368. For more information about the new Dardenne Prairie Athletic Complex, visit www.dardenneprairie.org.

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CAPTION: City officials, members of the Dardenne Athletic Association and local families recently gathered to celebrate the opening of the Dardenne Prairie Athletic Complex.

The City of Dardenne Prairie provides day-to-day services that are essential to the function, effectiveness and efficiency of City operations. City departments work together to improve City services, programs and events and to serve as a resource for its citizens and the community it serves. To learn more, please visit www.dardenneprairie.org.

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