Rathdrum's Kiefer Field gets major upgrade after 59 years

RATHDRUM — After nearly six decades without major improvements, Lakeland Joint School District’s Kiefer Field has been given a facelift.  

Gabe Young, president of the Junior Tackle and Cheer program, said hundreds of dump trucks of earth were removed as the surface was laser-leveled and drainage issues were corrected.

"Now, it's perfect and pristine, though we're dealing with the heat for the new turf," Young said.

The project cost over $180,000 in donated materials and labor with $20,000 being used from the program's operating budget to resurface the field and put in new sod. 

Previously, the field was muddy and there were numerous holes in it.

"It was an unbelievable amount of community support. It was a top priority for our kids," Young said.

Through selling school-themed hawk discount cards and concession sales, community members were able to raise the money, along with help from local businesses like Earthscape Land Works Inc., Roofing Northwest, Knife River and Bayshore Systems. 

Terry Kiefer said the community and the school always have a can-do attitude when it comes together for securing what the students need. 

“It's been a good old field,” Kiefer said. “Any time you make improvements like that, it's kind of a big deal to the kids and community. It's really good they're out there and they're taking the initiative.” 

The field was named after Kiefer, who started the junior tackle program in 1982. When the field was named after him in 2015, it came as a complete shock to Kiefer. 

“I didn't know anything about it. I was driving down the highway and looked up, and there it was. It was really a surprise,” Kiefer said. “I think it's absolutely great for the kids to have a new surface, and it's quite an honor to have the field named after you.”

    Kiefer Field