A particularly harsh Kansas winter has put construction of Lawrence High’s new baseball facility behind schedule, leaving the Lions forced to play their 2010 home-opener at a neutral location.

The school announced Tuesday that the team’s 7 p.m. game against Blue Springs (Mo.) South on Friday, previously scheduled to be held at Lawrence High, will now be played at Free State High due to the construction setbacks.

“The winter snow and all the inclement weather that we’ve had has put the work schedule behind from where we anticipated,” LHS athletic director Ron Commons said. “So our dugouts haven’t been completed and lights haven’t been approved for our use yet.”

The Lions’ new baseball stadium represents part of major facilities upgrades at both of the district’s two high schools, and despite the hold-up, it figures to be one of the nicest prep facilities in the state upon its completion.

“Luckily we got the field put in when we did; we just have not been able to finish up bleachers, sidewalks and the amenities around it,” said Tom Bracciano, facilities and operations division director for Lawrence Public Schools. “The field is totally playable, it’s just the things around it that have been held up a little bit.”

The good news for the Lions, who have been able to practice on the field despite the ongoing construction, is that their next home game isn’t scheduled until April 8, which provides a two-week window for the facility to be finalized.

The team plans to hold its previously scheduled stadium-opening ceremony prior to its game that day against Shawnee Mission North at 6 p.m.

“Hopefully the weather will be a little better between now and then,” said Commons, who said he’s anticipating the facility will be ready for use by then. “And hopefully the work will be accomplished.”