Windber Area School District's Board of Directors made a game-changing decision last Thursday, approving an agreement to purchase the Iron Horse Sports Complex for $4 million.
The Iron Horse is a top-of-the-line complex with indoor facilities and four ballfields that will benefit the Ramblers for years to come.
"It's great for the entire community," Board President David Decewicz said. "When we thought about this purchase, it kind of fell into our laps. We didn't take it lightly. We thought about it for months and months. The student-athletes and the students at Windber are going to benefit from this. We have a state-of-the-art facility for our teams and programs. We want to eventually move the weight room up there for the kids to use. We want the kids to be as active as possible."
Windber girls' soccer coach Paul Buza sees nothing but positives for his program and other sports teams moving forward.
"Strictly from a sports standpoint, it is really good for Windber athletics," Buza said. "Indoor space has always been tight and a nightmare to schedule. There can be some money-making opportunities as well with different events and renting it out for tournaments. For the athletics aspect of it, I don't see anything wrong with it. It's an opportunity that every school probably wishes it could have."
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While Buza and his program have no problem practicing in the rain, sometimes the elements are even difficult for the Ramblers to trek outside and train during the offseason or prepare in-season.
"With two varsity soccer programs, we have one turf field and one grass field. We'll practice in the rain, but that only takes care of one program," Buza said. "One of us can get indoors. Normally, we would go to the gym when it's sleeting or snowing in late October, which is not conducive for soccer. There's nothing like open turf and the Iron Horse has that with its indoor facility."
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The Iron Horse was built in 2014 and was founded by Greg Tunstall. The Paint Township complex has hosted NCAA softball, PIAA baseball and softball, the All-American Amateur Baseball Association tournament, travel baseball and softball tournaments on its ballfields.
District 5 has struggled to find a permanent home for its baseball and softball championships over the years for one reason or another. The traveling carousel has forced top seeds in Somerset County to go to Bedford County in the past to play title games.
There is now the potential for District 5 to make the Iron Horse a premier spot for the District 5 baseball and softball championships.
"We haven't talked to District 5 yet," Decewicz said. "It makes total sense, though, honestly. "There is no facility in the area as nice as the Iron Horse for baseball and softball. We'd love to host District 5 and PIAA playoffs. That's definitely on the radar."
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Windber alum and current baseball coach Dan Clark sees the implications the Iron Horse facility can bring, even beyond baseball.
"Having an indoor facility that is turf, there is going to be year-round access to it for not just the baseball program, but for all of the athletic teams," Clark said. "Having a facility that is in good of shape as the Iron Horse, it provides you with so many opportunities. Hopefully, it brings in kids within the school district being involved in athletics. They can receive more training and improve their skillsets year-round."
Year-round access to an indoor facility will provide Windber athletic programs a unique opportunity while other schools are stuck inside of a gym.
"There have been years where we have been hopping on a field to play our first game April 1, and that's the first time we've been on a field," Clark said. "When you're looking at five, six, seven weeks in a gym practicing five days a week in a tight space, it limits you with what you can do. It provides us with an advantage now because you can have regular practices once spring sports start.
"With the facility having multiple fields, that benefits both varsity baseball and softball as well as our junior high programs. We're not going to have to try and fit four 2-hour practices in one evening of gym time. We can go simultaneously. We can also add some time where the community can use the facilities as well. This is not limited to varsity sports. It's junior high and the little league's which is great for the community."
Windber has contested baseball and softball games at the complex in the past. It's been a nice change of pace to get on the turf.
"We're super fortunate to have been able to play some games there," Clark said. "There have been some instances, especially late in the season, where we've got stacked up with four or five makeup games in a week. The Iron Horse has saved us from having to get into those situations because we can flip a game up there quickly. Having the Iron Horse at our disposal every single day benefits us as a program.
"It's cool for our kids to play on turf. There's something different about playing on turf that gets everybody fired up. We're certainly glad it's our home barn, now."
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
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