Three years ago, a project to construct new community ballfields on school property was presented to the Maple Lake School Board. On May 19-20, 2012, the new Irish Diamonds were celebrated with a Grand Opening at the fields east of the football stadium.
The two softball fields and one baseball field saw their first official action on Tuesday, April 3, when the Irish softball team hosted Champlin Park in a varsity game.
A plan was developed to fund the project budget with $440,000 in financing provided by the school district, and a new organization, Maple Lake Irish Diamonds & Dreams, doing fundraising to help the school pay for the facility and providing volunteer labor.
In recent years, school expansion projects had been constructed in areas that formerly served as athletic fields. In addition, parents of young athletes cited limited space for baseball and softball practices in the spring season.
In the summer of 2010, the majority of work on the fields, including grading, irrigation, installation of fences, walkways and seeding was completed. In 2011 a concession stand was constructed, trees were planted, signage was installed, bases were placed and the stone entrance sign was put in position near the gate to the fields. The most recent task completed were the bathrooms at the back of the concession stand.
The Maple Lake Diamonds and Dreams Committee said the building of Irish Diamonds wouldn't have been possible without the support of the community, volunteers, and businesses.
Members of the Maple Lake Diamonds and Dreams Committee are Scott Fobbe, Chris Fobbe, Pam Neu, Heather Haney, Heidi Goelz, Mary Elfmann, Briana Jacobs, Brenda Pilger, Shelley McAlpine, and Sara Youngs.