Tony Dean Baseball Facility to host open house this weekend

By Joshua Allen
ONL Staff Reporter

The new facility for baseball players at Okemah Public Schools is nearing its opening date. The school will host an open house for the public to see the Tony Dean Baseball Facility this weekend. 

“We want to give people an opportunity to come in and see the progress and new state-of-the-art facility,” High School Principal and soon-to-be Superintendent Lee Vick said Tuesday. 

The event is to be held Saturday, March 23 from 9 to 11 a.m. It will be open to anyone that wants to check out the new building and equipment, designed for Okemah baseballers to better their craft. 

In the February 14 edition of the Okemah News Leader, shortly after an Okemah Board of Education regular meeting, the decision to name the facility after former-Superintendent Tony Dean. 

During that meeting, a tentative ‘grand opening’ date was set for March 12 — tentatively being the operative word in that sentence. 

Vick said this open house event is not the official opening but a chance for the public to visit the facility in its newness.

“It is also an opportunity to say thank you to the community and supporters of Okemah Public Schools,” Vick said. 

As for the official dedication of the building, the principal and next year’s superintendent said, “At one of the first home games in April, we will do the official dedication.” 

The excitement apparent in Vick’s voice, he said he hopes the public will visit the new facility and see the growth within the school district.