VIBORG — Viborg-Hurley, a school district with loads of athletic success, will have a new state-of-the-art athletic complex in 2026. 

The school is currently undergoing construction for a $6 million athletic complex in Viborg that includes an eight-lane track, a 100-yard artificial turf football field, areas for all standard track and field events, a grandstand with seating for 500 spectators, a press box and concession stands and restroom facilities. 

The project has been in Viborg-Hurley’s long-term capital outlay plan for several years, and the superintendent Brett Mellem said it’s long overdue for the school. 

“It’s just been a long time coming for the communities,” Mellem said. “Both communities currently have an 80-yard football field. Both have had dirt or cinder tracks in the past. Never a full-fledged paved track at either location. So it’s just an exciting thing that we are ready for and it’s a good time to make that move.”

Renderings of the new athletic complex at Viborg-Hurley School in Viborg. (Courtesy photo)

The project is being constructed by Mammoth Sports Construction, a Kansas-based company that’s built field surfaces and sports facilities across the country. The project will be financed through $1.5 million already available in the capital outlay account, while the remaining $4.5 million will come from a capital outlay certificate.

“It’s an investment,” Mellem said. “But if you do it now it’s better off then waiting because it’s probably only going to get more expensive as the years go by.”

The new facility will be located on the land acquired just west of the current football field in Viborg. The completion target was originally scheduled for the fall, but construction was pushed back due to weather and Mammoth Sports Construction completing other projects. 

The school is optimistic the artificial turf will be done in October, but Mellem said with all the construction around the site, it would not be safe to play games without it being properly finished. 

The target date for the entire project to be completed is spring 2026, said Mellem. As a result, the Cougars will instead play their home football games in Hurley this season. 

The school district prepared the Hurley football field this summer, in preparation for hosting home football games this fall. 

“We’ve had to put a little money into sprucing it back up,” Mellem said. “But that’s OK. It’s been a great venture this summer getting it ready to roll.” 

Renderings of the new athletic complex at Viborg-Hurley School in Viborg. (Courtesy photo)

The Cougars have not played a varsity football game in Hurley for several years. The Cougars play junior varsity and junior high school football games in Hurley, but Mellem said the return of Friday night lights will be special for Hurley. 

“These night games just add that nostalgia back to it, and it’s a great field to play on,” Mellem said. “It’s a good atmosphere to have. It’s pretty compact. The crowd is in your back pocket as you are playing. So it’s kind of cool.”

The Cougars opened the season against Canistota on Friday, Aug. 22, the first of four home regular-season games. Viborg-Hurley will then unveil the 100-yard artificial turf football field in 2026. 

“It’s exciting to see it come around and I am hoping come next fall everything is in,” Mellem said. “Trees are in, grass is growing around the outsides and we are able to host games at the high school in Viborg and kind of usher in a new era of facilities and athletics at Viborg-Hurley.”