Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: A new LED video scoreboard was installed recently at Dodger Stadium.

Fans at Dodger Stadium will notice a significant upgrade in scoreboard and sound technology beginning this fall.

A new LED videoboard has been installed at the iconic Fort Dodge facility, which will vastly improve both the visual and audio game-day experience for events hosted by Fort Dodge, St. Edmond or Iowa Central.

Varsity Group Marketing and Signs of Des Moines, led by director of operations and current Fort Dodge resident and former Eagle Grove wrestling standout Justin McClintock, spearheaded the project. The cost was covered using the Fort Dodge Community School District’s physical plant and equipment levy fund.

“We’re really looking forward to unveiling this to the public,” Fort Dodge Senior High athletic and activities director Josh Porter said. “From a technology standpoint, it’s such an upgrade — much more user-friendly and versatile. The sound is so much better and even. And the full LED board will allow an easy transition from school to school and event to event, based on the needs on a given day.

“This isn’t just for Fort Dodge athletics. We recognized the importance of finding something that was a good fit for St. Edmond and Iowa Central when it was time for them to use Dodger Stadium. And this expands into all activities, like graduation and any other non-sports related events. We wanted this to be a multifaceted, community-based upgrade.”

According to Porter, this will be the first fully-functional ScoreVision LED outdoor board in Iowa.

Porter said McClintock’s involvement has “added a huge personal touch” to the equation.

“Justin has been invaluable throughout the set-up process,” Porter said. “He has a passion for making this the best product possible for the Fort Dodge community. He lives here, he’s from the area, and he went to Iowa Central, where he’s (currently) a (volunteer) assistant (wrestling) coach.

“He obviously has a vested interest on a lot of levels, and we appreciate his hard work in getting everything set up and ready to go.”

St. Edmond faces Ar-We-Va on Friday at Dodger Stadium. The Tritons square off with Independence on Saturday.

Fort Dodge’s home opener is Sept. 2 against Ames.

The football field at Dodger Stadium hosted its first game on Oct. 4, 1940. Baseball was introduced three years later.