The Marshalltown Community School District invites students, families, alumni, and community members to celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated Franklin Field with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Aug. 21, at 4:30 p.m. at the 14th Street entrance to Franklin Field.

The ceremony marks the completion of a transformational project that honors the rich history of one of Marshalltown's most iconic athletic venues while providing modern facilities that will serve students and the community for generations to come. The Franklin Field improvements are part of the district's broader Reimagine Miller initiative, made possible through the community's support of the 2024 bond referendum. The renovation includes a new synthetic turf field, an updated track, improved lighting, enhanced spectator amenities, and other site improvements designed to create a high-quality athletic and recreational facility for the north side of Marshalltown.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the celebration will continue with Marshalltown High School football scrimmages against Bondurant-Farrar. The freshman game is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the varsity scrimmage at 7 p.m.

Both the ribbon-cutting ceremony and football scrimmages are free and open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend as the district celebrates this exciting milestone.

"Franklin Field has been a cornerstone of Marshalltown athletics and community pride for more than a century," said Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte. "This renovation preserves that proud tradition while creating an outstanding facility that will benefit our students, athletes, and the entire community for years to come. We invite everyone to join us as we celebrate this historic moment together."

Franklin Field has served Marshalltown students and the community since 1922, hosting generations of student-athletes and countless community events. The renovated facility will continue that legacy by providing a modern venue for school athletics, physical education, and community recreation.

For more information about the Franklin Field project, visit the Franklin Field Project webpage on the district website.