A land donation to Benedictine College in Atchison will likely be used for a sports complex.

Groundbreaking for the new Asher Sports Complex could come as early as next month.

James and Pat Asher have donated more than seven acres of land adjacent to Benedictine College’s Larry Wilcox Stadium, allowing the college to expand. The property could become a new baseball and softball stadium.

Additional fund raising will be necessary to complete the construction.

Jim Asher, a retired Atchison hospital administrator and his wife, Pat, a retired Benedictine College employee, sent all seven of their children to Benedictine College.

“It was by no accident we chose the current location to live when we moved to Atchison almost 50 years ago,” said Pat Asher.  “The cross above the Abbey Church beckoned to us when we strolled through the neighborhood in search of a place to build our home. That cross throughout the years has continued to deepen our appreciation of the Benedictine monks and sisters with whom we’ve been associated since moving to town.”