The Madison Parks Division is excited to announce that it received a $100,000 grant from Dane County and Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) Sports Venue Development Fund. The grant will help fund the Phase 2 renovation of Breese Stevens Stadium.
Breese Stevens Stadium, 917 E. Mifflin Street, is an historic landmark. The stadium is owned and operated by the City of Madison Parks Division and is used primarily as a soccer facility.
While over the years, the turf and premiere playing condition have remained top-notch; the 1926 facility was showing its age.
In 2007, the $1.6 million Phase 1 renovation addressed many of the structural issues in the facility: major concrete decking repair, replacement of the storm sewer system for better field and bleacher drainage, and renovation work to get the building up to ADA code by adding accessible seating, an internal accessible entrance to the bleachers and a new accessible restroom.
The $800,000 Phase 2 construction is scheduled to begin March 2009. Phase 2 consists of a new press box, pa system, painting/cleaning the old locker room areas, referee lock rooms, tuck pointing the walls, inside and out and repair/painting the existing canopy along Paterson St.

In Pursuit of WIAA Soccer State Tournaments
The goal of the GMCVB Sports Venue Development Fund is to increase the economic opportunity generated by attracting sports events to the area by helping private or public sports venue operators enhance or create new facilities for sports tournaments and events.
And the City of Madison Parks Division intends to do just that.
"The continuing renovations have brought new life to an historic field," Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said. "With these improvements, Breese Stevens will be fit to be a premier soccer facility in downtown Madison that will be host to local teams and statewide tournaments for years to come."
"Breese Stevens Field really is a field of dreams for young soccer players and fans inspired by the historic setting." says Dane County Board Chair Scott McDonell. "Restoring the stadium to its full potential not only allows future generations to enjoy the amazing setting just blocks from the Capitol, but it will allow the venue to compete for regional events that help support Madison and Dane County as a sports tourism destination."
"The GMCVB applauds the County's vision in funding this grant program, which underscores the value of investing in our destination's sports infrastructure and driving the economic stimulus that sporting events generate for the region." says Deb Archer, President of GMCVB. "This program supports the sales efforts of the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau to both attract national sporting events like the U.S. Transplant Games and retain important annual sporting events like WIAA Tournaments and Ford Ironman Wisconsin."