ASHLAND — Norma and Lloyd Wygant lost their son unexpectedly nearly 50 years ago.

Now, the name of Keith Wygant will live on for many years to come.

The Ashland City Schools Board of Education voted Monday evening to accept a $500,000 donation from the Wygants for the 40,000-square foot, $3.5 million Keith Wygant Memorial Field House.

Wygant would have graduated in the Ashland High School Class of 1971. He was accepted in the engineering program at Purdue University when he died unexpectedly in his sleep during the fall of his senior year.

At Ashland High School, he participated in football and wrestling and enjoyed a variety of activities. He and his family enjoyed sailing together at the Mifflin Sailing Club.

“I graduated from Ashland High School. My wife graduated from Ashland High School. Our daughter graduated from Ashland High School. Our son would have graduated from Ashland. We thought this was a good fit,” Lloyd Wygant said.

ROOM FOR ALL: Construction on the field house, using private and public dollars, is scheduled to begin this fall and be complete by August 2019, according to Ashland Supt. Doug Marrah.

Plans include three full-sized basketball courts, weight room, training/coaches rooms, two locker rooms with single-stall showers, storage facilities, concession stand and a batting cage on the first floor.

The basketball courts can also be used for volleyball and tennis, as well as baseball and softball practice.

The second floor will have a full-sized varsity wrestling area, classroom, mechanic room and storage facility. Marrah said a walking track may also be included.

“Wrestling was (Keith’s) big deal,” Norma Wygant said. “This has a nice room for wrestling. He loved to lift weights and this has a nice room for lifting. We are really pleased to be a part of it.”

Lloyd Wygant said, “I’m sure (Keith) would have been proud.”

The Wygants were joined at the meeting by long-time friend, Dr. Lucille Ford, a retired economics professor at Ashland University and former member of Ashland University’s board of trustees. She also chaired chaired Ashland University’s “Building on Strength” capital campaign and served as president of the Ashland County Community Foundation.

“This is a great way to keep the memory of Keith alive and to give young people opportunities they otherwise would not have,” Ford said.

Ford has received numerous honors and awards during her career. She was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame in 2001 and in 2003 was recognized as a Distinguished Alumni from Ashland High School and received the Ashland University Glenn L. Clayton Award.

Marrah said the district lost two gyms due to recent new building construction, requiring athletes to share available space.

“The No. 1 thing is to get kids home earlier from practice,” Marrah said. “And if our kids are outside right now and we get inclement weather, they have a safe place to go inside.

“It’s been great working with the Wygants in terms of their version and being able to raise dollars and have the right things in place,” Marrah said.

Board President Will Gravitt praised the donation. “We are very grateful for your contribution. It really has been catalytic,” he said.

Vice President James Wolfe said the donation was amazing and noble.

“It’s extremely humbling to know there are people in our community who are willing to leave a legacy that will benefit the students and children of Ashland,” Wolfe said.

“I don’t know how to thank you,” Wolfe said. “I do know that for the next 50 years children will read your name and thank you.

“It sets a very shining example of what we can do together as a school and community for the benefit of our children,” Wolfe said.

IN OTHER BUSINESS:

— Marrah said Robin Donatini (elementary) and Diana Muranko (secondary) will be honored May 8 as the district’s Educators of the Year.

— The board voted to accept a contract with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield to provide health insurance for district employees from July 31 through June 30, 2019. Wolfe said the contract will keep employee contributions stable, but will raise their out-of-pocket maximums. “It’s a different way of looking at solving our problem,” Wolfe said. “We are cautiously optimistic.”

— The board voted to appoint Brock Thompson and Brittaney Reep to serve as trustees on the Ashland Public Library Board of Trustees.

— The board voted to go into executive session to discuss employment of a public employee/official; consider the purchase or sale of property; and discuss building security details. No action was expected after the private session.