Shiloh Expansion | Video

Kristin Clouston | 12/18/2012

Imagine getting a million dollars right before Christmas. Do you know what you`d do with it? Shiloh Christian School just got a million dollar donation and it`s planning for the future.

These kids definitely have something to sing about!

"After 11 months of fund raising, we have received one more significant gift. One million dollar naming right gift to the baseball field," said superintendent Morgan Forness.

Because of that, the school can start building a new sports complex.

"Baseball, football, track and we`ll begin breaking ground as soon as the snow melts and we are hopeful to have a football field ready to play by fall 2013," Forness said.

After that, they`ll start on the baseball field.

"A lot of times with the North Dakota winter it`s awfully difficult to get out on a grass field, waiting for snow to melt. We`re very fortunate to have potentially the turf option which would allow playability earlier in the spring," said athletics director Brian Marcus.

Coaches say they want the kids to feel pride in having their own facilities, but they`ll also have to share.

"I think again, coming from a servant`s heart, that we`re able to share this with our community, and that`s truly what I like to focus on the most. Yes, it`s a facility for Shiloh but these are facilities that are overwhelmingly needed by the city of Bismarck and we are absolutely excited about the opportunities that presents," Marcus said.

The expansion will also include a large performing arts center.

The school has raised six million dollars over the past 11 months. Mark Peterson made a major donation to the fine arts center. That will be named in memory of his wife Phylis. Brad and Kathy Miller bought the naming rights for the football field. The name of the donor for the baseball field will be released in July.

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