• Tweet
• Share
• Email
• Print

GRAND CHUTE, WI - Big changes are coming to Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute.  The home of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers will undergo major renovations at the end of this season.  The team said it’s all geared to help make the fan experience better.

see the designs here

“It's bringing tourism dollars into this area,” said Rob Zerjav, Timber Rattlers President and General Manger.

They’re adding a new second level with six suites and club level seating for 250.

"You never want get too big, where you're going to have a lot of empty seats,” he said. “You want to create a little bit of a demand."

 So there will be 400 new seats, but that's not all. They're also increasing the size of concession stands and adding additional restrooms for fans. And the players themselves will benefit, from the addition of a new player lounge, and expanding the weight room and coach's offices.

"So no taxpayer dollars will be going to the ball park at all," said Zerjav.

So how are they paying for the $5.5 million improvements? It's privately funded through the Sports Authority. The team has also applied for a $400,000 grant from the visitor's bureau.

“People love to come out here, but right now, we're on April through September venue,” said Zerjav . “And there's six months of the year we're sitting empty."

They're hoping to fix that, by using the center for weddings, banquets, or other parties. Zerjav added that the price of tickets will not increase because of the renovations.

The renovations will begin at the end of this season, and are expected to finish by mid-march of next year, just in time for the start of the 2013 season.