Construction has begun on new softball and baseball diamonds and stands at Luther College

(Photos by decorahnews.com's Steve Peterson)

Construction has begun on a project to totally renovate the softball and baseball stadiums at Luther College.

Plans call for tearing out the existing backstops, then removing the temporary grandstands next to both fields.  Both the softball and baseball stadium will get protective netting strung from dugout to dugout, almost, and a couple of rows of stadium seating right in back of the netting.  In the middle will be new bleachers at both fields, which will include handicapped accessible seats, standing room areas and new press boxes with video streaming stations.

When the projects are finished (Luther officials hope that's by the time classes start in the fall), there will be room for at least 300 spectators at the baseball field and 200 spectators at the softball field.

Earlier this week the site plans for the baseball and softball stadium renovations received approval from the Decorah Planning & Zoning Commission