If you build it … they will remember (UPDATE)

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UPDATE TO ORIGINAL BLOG:

Planning continues for Treyton Kilar’s Field of Dreams project slated for construction in Whitewater’s Starin Park. Kilar was the young baseball enthusiast who lost his life to a drunk driver in fall of 2010.

To honor him, a small softball field with lighting and dugouts is being planned. His family announced that on Oct. 23, Pepsi Co., through its Pepsi Refresh Project, has donated $50,000 toward the construction costs. In addition, the Milwaukee Brewers have donated $10,000.

So far without the donations, the family has raised about $200,000 toward the $474,000 construction costs.

With the start of construction next spring, more fundraising events will occur.

By Keith Barber

Whitewater’s Treyton Kilar would have been proud last weekend after the Milwaukee Brewers beat the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-game sweep.

Unfortunately, the 6-year-old was killed last fall in a drunk-driving accident. His love of baseball and an effort to draw attention to effects of drinking and driving have led his family and volunteers in the tri-county area surrounding Whitewater to pay tribute to Kilar by constructing a memorial baseball park in Starin Park.

In March, the Whitewater Parks and Recreation Board approved conceptual designs prepared by Rettler Corp. of Stevens Point. Designs include fencing, a concrete dugout, lighting, concession stands, batting cages and parking for 145 vehicles. Now pending final approvals from the city of Whitewater, “Treyton’s Field of Dreams” has raised about $80,000 so far, with a goal of $474,000. The group’s efforts to raise money is ongoing, and the city has recently applied for a $5,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project.

The community is hoping the project will celebrate life, encourage health and active lifestyles, promote family time and encourage children to live responsibly.

Donations of time, materials and money are now being accepted.

To learn more about Treyton and the baseball memorial, visit www.treysfield.org.

Keith Barber is a data reporter at The Daily Reporter. He can be reached at (414) 225-1821.