HERMISTON -- The city of Hermiston has chipped in $100,000 for improvements at Hermiston High School's Kennison Field, further closing the $700,000 gap needed for renovations.

Hermiston School District officials reported this week that it has collected more than $565,000 since the beginning of September for the project, according to a press release.

The district wants to spend about

$4 million to renovate and upgrade the facility, making it eligible as a site for regional and state competitions.

The city agreed to donate the money to the project partially as part of a deal with the district to lease soccer fields at Rocky Heights Elementary School for the next 33 years.

However, council members cited the benefits of an improved Kennison Field on the local economy, as teams visit and stay in the community for competitions and games.