PONDERAY — The vision for the Field of Dreams is that it would someday be an area for sports and recreation for area youth and adults.

The city of Ponderay acquired the 50-acre property, formerly known as "McGhee Sports Complex" on Highway 95, in 2011. Due to field conditions and cost of development, the property has remained largely untouched over the years — until now.

The LOR Foundation recently awarded the city of Ponderay a $100,000 planning grant for the Field of Dreams, bringing the city's vision a step closer to fruition.

"It is impossible to come up with the words to express our appreciation for what the LOR Foundation has given our community," said Ponderay Mayor Steve Geiger in a statement. "We have been trying to come up with a vision for the Field of Dreams property and now with a generous gift from LOR we will be able to turn the dream into reality. Our area and community as a whole has desperately needed a recreation facility for all ages and for many decades. This project, in addition to future plans for a potential recreation center in Sandpoint will only benefit our communities as a whole."

The planning grant will include community input on the project and a plan for development, and based on the outcome of the plan, LOR is prepared to commit an additional $400,000 for development of the project, according to a statement by LOR officials.

There have been many people over the years who have worked toward making the dream a reality when it comes to the Field of Dreams, said City Planner Erik Brubaker.

There have been several designs created for recreational opportunities on the field over the years, Brubaker said, which include a combination of soccer, baseball and softball fields. One concept design includes an RV park and concert venue as well. There are potential opportunities for a fieldhouse or other recreation facilities with the award from LOR. The city has heard interest in several different types of sports, from rugby and lacrosse, to soccer and baseball. Idaho Parks and Recreation is currently using the land for ATV training, Brubaker said, but for the most part it is a "blank slate."

"From the city's perspective, we are basically making the payments and farming it, and until we got this golden opportunity from the LOR Foundation, the expectation was that it would be a while before we had the resources to develop this regional asset," Brubaker said. "The goal for us now will be to put together a very robust public outreach campaign to create something that honors the spirit of the LOR Foundation grant and contributes to our regional recreation program for the broader community, including, but not limited to, Ponderay residents and businesses."

Public outreach will include engaging surrounding cities, county residents, the school district and all types of recreation-based organizations, he said. The city will be organizing a committee dedicated to moving the planning process forward.

Carol Kunzeman, who served as mayor of Ponderay when the property was purchased, said she became friends with Floyd McGhee during her tenure and they would "chit chat" at the Hoot Owl on occasion.

"I think he was keeping an eye on me as a mayor," Kunzeman said. "He liked the things that were happening and so, one day, he approached me about the possibility of purchasing that land out there."

McGhee's vision, Kunzeman said, was to have something for the community, and her vision was to see a regional recreation park. Where she came from, there was a 19-acre park in the center of town, which made the children's lives "richer and better" as some went on to become professional ball players, Kunzeman said.

"It was just amazing to grow up with this beautiful park in the center of town," she said. "He liked my vision; he saw what it was and we were able to negotiate a deal and purchase the land."

Soccer fields were one of the first ideas, as tournaments are a way to generate money and the economic base in the area would benefit from it, she said. Her vision also included baseball fields, a teen center, an ice hockey rink, a heated swimming pool — a place for the kids.

It also included the other end of the age spectrum, however, as she envisioned a senior center, which Ponderay does not have one of its own. McGhee wanted to build houses behind the 50-acre property in the Kootenai area as well, she said.

Kunzeman said she hoped that, in her lifetime, she would see kids playing on those fields. And though he has passed away, it would have made McGhee happy to see children playing there as well, she said.

"It's a wonderful thing the LOR Foundation has done for the city of Ponderay, that's for sure," Kunzeman said.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.