7:20 a.m. - Area residents are partnering with Watauga County Commissioners, the Watauga County School Board and other school officials to raise money to build the Will Dicus Indoor Training Facility.

Patti Turner, who is helping head up the initiative, said the need for a new indoor training facility was recognized during the planning process of the new high school, but budget constraints kept officials from creating final construction plans for the facility.

Turner said, “Our group’s goal is to raise the necessary funds to construct this facility over the summer and have it ready for the fall.”

The proposed metal building would be 5,000 square feet.

Officials hope to name the facility after Will Dicus, a late Pioneer baseball player.

Turner said officials are working to schedule meetings for residents who are interested in helping raise money for the facility.