Construction on a special field in Woodbury, one that will allow children, teens and young adults with physical and cognitive disabilities to play baseball, took another step forward last week as crews prepared to pour concrete and put down asphalt.

Dugouts and fencing will follow yet this fall, and the rubber turf surface designed to accommodate wheelchairs and walking-assistance devices is to be installed next spring before a grand opening in May, said Al Henaman, a spokesman for the Woodbury Rotary Club, which has been leading the charge to get the field built.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Jeff Hanson Miracle Field at the Bielenberg Sports Center was held in August after the Rotary raised more than $225,000 over four years. That was believed to be enough, but after the City of Woodbury requested a few minor design changes and the project underwent a few revisions, another $35,000 was needed, a sum that threatened to delay construction, Henaman said.

A group of Woodbury business people stepped up in September and held a fundraiser that netted about $60,000, which allowed the project to proceed.

The fundraiser included a performance by Minneapolis pop-rocker Tim Mahoney and appearances by local sports mascots, including TC Bear from the Minnesota Twins and Buzz from the Minnesota Swarm of the National Lacrosse League. It also featured open ice skating, pony rides, K-9 unit demonstrations, a giant slide, celebrity autographs, sports contests and massages.

The field, named after the late state representative from Woodbury, is expected to get heavy use. In addition to noncompetitive spring, summer and fall leagues for ages 4 to 19, the Woodbury Parks and Recreation department plans to use it for its peewee T-ball and soccer leagues for ages 3 to 7. Local high schools also plan to use the field for their adaptive physical education and sports programs, Henaman said.

The field will have the distinction of being the only field of its type in the east metro and will be among the newest in the state.

It also will bring to an end an ambitious project that began in 2007, when 22 members of the Woodbury Rotary Club started putting on galas and selling concessions at events such as summer outdoor movies and concerts and town festivals and car shows.

Tim Harlow • 651-925-5039 Twitter: @timstrib