The journey toward the Crane Sports Complex has been anything but quick. On April 5, 2022, voters in the Crane R-III School District approved a $1 million no-levy-increase bond to fund the project, giving the district the green light to build long-overdue athletic facilities - without raising property taxes.

But despite the early excitement, it would take nearly three years before the first shovels finally hit the ground. Planning, site revisions, contractor delays, and funding timelines pushed the start date back, and groundbreaking didn’t occur until December 2024.

During that same period, other districts have moved more quickly. Just 15 miles away in Marionville, the district has built brand-new baseball and softball fields and restored its aging track and football field - all within the past year. The contrast hasn’t gone unnoticed by some Crane families eager to see similar upgrades for local athletes.

Initial plans for the Crane complex included a football field, baseball and softball fields, a competition track, new parking, concessions, and upgraded infrastructure to better serve student-athletes and the community. While the vision has remained consistent, some design changes have occurred - including the track’s relocation to the opposite side of the field compared to the original site plan.

Fast forward to today, and visible progress is finally being made. This week, crews poured concrete for most of the field event areas, marking one of the biggest construction milestones yet.

Once complete, the complex will host football games, track meets, baseball and softball tournaments, and community events, providing facilities on par with neighboring districts while giving Crane students a venue they can be proud of.

For many in the community, it’s been a long wait - but the finish line is finally in sight. Stay tuned to Crane.news for continued updates, aerial views, and announcements as the project moves closer to completion.