Newton Nite Hawks to play 2022 season at H.A. Lynn Stadium
Oct. 18—The Newton school board signed an agreement with local minor league football team, Newton Nite Hawks, allowing them to host their home games at H.A. Lynn Stadium for the 2022 season, the exact dates of which are going to be announced at a later date and are subject to board approval.
Gordon Head, president of the Newton Nite Hawks, spoke to the school board during open forum about the letter agreement, saying he and the team are looking forward to next summer. There is a lot of enthusiasm for the team, Head added, and he hopes to have fantastic attendance for the upcoming games.
"Our season will start, probably, mid-April," Head said, noting later the team will likely front load its season with home games to not conflict with track renovations. "We're finalizing our league right now as far as which league we're going to move into. We'll probably run operations through probably middle to end of July."
Newton Nite Hawks originally debuted in the 1970s but was re-formed in 2019, with its first home game of the new season played May 11, 2019 against the River City Rampage of St. Louis. The revived team saw a fair bit of success early on and garnered a following within the community.
The agreement itself states the team will lease the stadium for $700 per game. Newton Nite Hawks will have up to five home games at H.A. Lynn Stadium, so at most the team would have to pay $3,500 for the field, not counting the $175 per extra hour of stadium time. The field is available to the team for four hours.
In addition, the Newton Nite Hawks shall also pay the district $300 per game to provide an event manager and $160 per game for an on-site custodian. The team would also have to pay $40 per hour for any additional custodial work. Down payments are needed for the lease, event manager and custodian, too.
The team is allowed use of the parking lots but cannot park vehicles in the grassy areas immediately south and west of the stadium. Newton Nite Hawks are responsible for clean-up and walkthrough of the stadium after each match. The stadium must be cleaned by 9 a.m. the day after the initial games.
Costs could be incurred on the team if clean-up is not completed within the timeframe. Also, the team shall not allow sunflower seeds, gum or liquids other than sports drinks or water on and around the field/playing area. Zip ties used for signage and sponsors must be picked up after each game.
Newton Nite Hawks are also responsible for security and crowd control on game days and shall hire and pay for security or police at games, the agreement states. The district also requires the team to keep a minimum of $2 million in general liability insurance and works compensation insurance.
Sales, distribution and permits for alcoholic beverages or tobacco products at the stadium are not allowed by the team. Smoking is also prohibited in the stadium or any property owned by the school district that is adjacent to the stadium, including inside any vehicle located thereon.
On the flip side, Newton Nite Hawks retains any and all gate receipts and revenues collected as ticket income. The team may also have occasional fireworks displays pre-approved by the city and the school district. Insurance coverage is also needed for fireworks displays.
Injuries of any players, participants or spectators that occurred at games must be reported to the school district, the agreement states. The team is also in charge of paying the wages for workers necessary to operate the concession venue. The school district will allow the use of the public address system during games.
