GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A three-story slide, new suites and a concourse that runs around the entire stadium will greet Wisconsin Timber Rattlers fans when baseball returns to Fox Cities Stadium in the spring.
Team ownership group Third Base Ventures announced the renovation Thursday.
“Amazing. If we can get more people to come to the ballpark, I’m all for it,” said Timber Rattlers fan David Gerard. “From what I was shown, it’s going to be fun for everybody.”
Gerard said hearing about the improvements made him even more excited for the season.
Timber Rattlers President and CEO Rob Zerjav tells FOX 11 it can grow the fan base as one of the top venues in minor league baseball.
“Some of the new fan amenities — I think our park has a lot of character, and it gives it a lot of character. And I think we’re going to be probably the talk of the town when we get this all done.”
There is a $10 million price estimate. There is no help from the affiliate Brewers, and Zerjav said it was important to not have taxpayers be responsible for the finances.
“This is a privately-owned stadium now, so we understand the business model, and we knew that getting into it,” Zerjav said. “So, we’re more than happy to keep it as a privately-funded stadium.”
Renovations will allow the stadium to meet the new standards for Minor League Baseball facilities established in the player development license with Major League Baseball.
“Bigger locker rooms, bigger coaches office, video rooms, lighting, different field dimensions, everything has to be standardized and everything has to be up to par,” Zerjav said.
The T-Rats said the new additions will not compromise ticket prices or a change in stadium capacity.
“These are good people here,” Gerard said. “They’re for the community. It’s just a great atmosphere. They treat you amazing.”
There’s one addition in particular that Zerjav is most looking forward to.
“I think that slide is going to be what people are going to talk about.”
Unlike Bernie’s slide at American Family Field, fans will actually get to slide down the one in Grand Chute.
This is the first major renovation to the stadium since 2013.
Construction has already begun and is set to mostly finish by the beginning of the 2023 season. During construction, parking at the stadium will be limited to the west lot.
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