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5 -z -tia <br /> Athletic <br /> facilities <br /> options <br /> presented <br /> • Sports: With Autzen FIELDS <br /> Stadium going to grass, <br /> Eugene high schools will Continued from Page 1C <br /> need new fields — soon. express its desire to build a softball <br /> complex on part of a 32 -acre parcel <br /> of land north of Kinney Loop. <br /> By DAVE KAYFES • The property, near Coburg Road <br /> The Register -Guard and north of Belt Line Road, is <br /> The Eugene School Board, sud- owned by the school district. <br /> denly facing a need to upgrade the "They said they had additional <br /> district's high school athletic facili- funds to contribute to a football sta- <br /> ties, was presented with several op- dium, but they didn't want to talk <br /> tions Wednesday night, including a about the dollar amount," Hirsh <br /> complex for football, soccer and said. "And an individual working <br /> softball that would cost from $5 mil- through the foundation didn't want <br /> lion to $7 million. his name used." <br /> Bill Hirsh, the school district's Other options include fields or <br /> facilities director, said the district stadiums at each high school; a $4 <br /> may have to find a new place for its million two -field project for football <br /> four high schools to play football by and softball at Lane Community <br /> 1999 College, which was presented to the <br /> Hirsh was notified last week by board two years ago; an athletic <br /> Steve McBride, assistant athletic di- complex at the Lane County Fair <br /> rector at the University of Oregon, grounds and renovation of Civic <br /> that the UO is going ahead with Stadium, which is owned by the <br /> plans to replace Autzen Stadium's district and rented by the Eugene <br /> Emeralds baseball team. <br /> artificial turf with grass by 1999. <br /> If the grass is ready for the <br /> Ducks by fall 1999, the high schools <br /> will have to stop using Autzen for <br /> their weekly football doubleheaders <br /> because of wear and tear on the <br /> field. <br /> "We may have to move fast," <br /> Hirsh said after the board meeting. <br /> "We have to have the board on <br /> board. <br /> "It's their decision whether we <br /> bond this or where we go with <br /> this." <br /> In outlining the options, Hirsh <br /> said a group representing the <br /> Willamette Valley Fastpitch Foun- <br /> dation contacted the district to <br /> Turn to FIELDS, Page 5C <br />