Matt Clement

Plans to construct an athletic dome on-site at Butler High School have taken another step forward.

The dome — an inflatable facility — would be owned by Butler graduate and current Golden Tornado boys basketball coach Matt Clement, a former major league pitcher. Darryl Patten is a partner in the project.

“We just had a meeting with the athletic committee this week and progress was made to the point that everyone thinks it's a great idea,” Clement said. “Now it's a matter of working out the logistics of everything.

“We've agreed that the land where the (high school) softball field is now would be the best location for the dome.”

The cost of the approximate $2 million turfed facility would come from private funding and public grants. That cost could fluctuate depending on the dome's contents.

“If they want to put basketball in there, for example, that would change things,” Patten said.

“The school district's ability to participate in the operation, such as potential janitorial and maintenance work, has yet to be determined or even factored in,” Patten added.

Hours for Butler High School activities — band practice, gym classes, football practice, other sports, etc. — inside the dome would be donated by the ownership.

“The school district has the land and location we're interested in and we want the school to benefit from it,” Clement said. “We're opting for a dome instead of an actual building because it would provide more space at less cost.

“The baseball and softball teams could practice in there at the same time. There will be enough room.”

Township zoning and approval, along with parking are among logistics yet to be addressed for the project.

“We're still two or three serious, detailed meetings away from actually moving forward on this,” Clement emphasized. “We're still in the very early stages. But everyone seems to agree it's feasible.”

Patten said he is “cautiously optimistic” the project will get done.

“How many available private hours there will be — once the school district determines its usage — will be a key. The private hours will be the revenue generator to keep the facility sustainable.”