BUTLER TWP — The Butler School District is looking into providing an athletic dome for its teams, thanks to help from a retired Major League Baseball player and longtime Butler resident.

Superintendent Dale Lumley said the athletic committee is investigating how the district can have a sports dome installed, likely between the football stadium and baseball field. The dome would be owned by former MLB player and current Butler high school basketball coach Matt Clement, who had previously approached the district with the idea.

Lumley said the idea originated before he started as superintendent in 2014.

The dome, which is a mobile, inflatable facility, would “become an additional facility available for athletic practices,” Lumley said, citing a huge need for more space.

“There’s always a need for additional athletic spaces with the number of teams and practices we have,” he said. “It’s hard for any school, especially us, to find a place for all of our teams.”

Lumley said the discussions now are “very preliminary.”

“I don’t think the board has committed to anything other than exploring the possibilities,” he said.

Right now, it is not known if there would be any cost to the district, and Lumley said meetings will continue with Clement, district solicitor Tom King and Butler Township officials about the matter.