From some of the community reaction, you’d think Austin was in an episode of the series “Under the Dome.” (A CBS series based on a Stephen King novel where a community is trapped in an invisible dome).

On Nov. 20, Vision 2020 announced plans for a roughly $4.5 million seasonal dome and turf to Wescott Field, inciting a wave of community reaction — both positive and negative. It’s been a hotly talked about issue.

The initial story on austindailyherald.com received more than 100 comments — several of them negative — but we think the dome as a project, if done right, has a lot of upside for the community.

Here are some of the reasons why we’re optimistic for the dome project:

• The dome is a community-driven, not school-driven project.

When the dome project was announced, many people assumed it was just for the school and high school/youth athletics.

In fact, Director of Vision Creation Laura Helle said the dome was more driven by Vision 2020 and the community than it was by Austin Public Schools, even though the district will maintain the dome.

It’s for all of Austin and the surrounding communities — not just the schools.

It will be available to recreational leagues and community groups and organizations during the winter. That will leave the door open for recreational and intramural leagues. Helle also promised there will be open hours for the general public to use the dome for running/walking and open play.

The potential is there for new adult leagues: winter softball, kickball volleyball, soccer, etc.

That could prove a great way to break the winter monotony.

• If all goes according to plan, the dome will be self-sufficient or even make money.

According to Vision 2020’s plans, the Wescott dome should be self-sustaining and could even make money, thanks to rental fees. Helle said the worst-case scenario is the dome should break even on annual operating costs. The school has a budget to maintain the grass fields now, and maintenance for the turf fields could be more affordable over time, according to officials.

The project is estimated at $4.5 million. About $2.5 million will come from the Hormel Foundation, and Helle said the portion from the schools will come from district reserve fund, which Helle said is largely from state money. While undoubtedly some money will come from local tax dollars, it’ll only be a portion of the dollars

• It will keep people in Austin.

Coaches are excited for the project and say it could keep athletes in Austin and potentially attract others to Austin.

Right now Austin head boys soccer coach Jens Levisen said many of his players travel to play at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault or Rochester Community and Technical College, which both have domes, over the winter. Having a dome in Austin should now make such leagues available right here in Austin.

• It will keep dollars in Austin.

If parents are currently driving their children or teens to practices or leagues at domes in other communities, it’s likely they stop to shop or eat during or after practices. A dome in Austin could mean more dollars are spent locally. If well managed, Austin’s dome could attract athletes from communities like Albert Lea or northern Iowa to play in winter leagues. That would mean parents spending money in Austin when their teens are practicing.

• It could make Austin a destination.

Along with seasonal dome, the artificial turf on both fields will certainly give Austin an opportunity to host section tournament events, as the Minnesota State High School League now requires all football section title games to be played on turf. Austin will be the third school in the Big Nine to have turf after Winona and Rochester Mayo.

The Packer softball team will be able to play games in the dome early in the season.

• It’s a seasonal dome, not the Metrodome.

Remember, this is not turning Art Haas into the Metrodome. The dome is seasonal and will be up for five months of the year: November through April.

In the warm months, the dome is deflated and stored in about a semi-trailer sized space.

The dome gives an option for practices during the winter and for games in early spring. The dome will be inflated using warm air and should be kept around 55 degrees during the winter.

— Austin Daily Herald, Dec. 10