Community First Credit Union committed to a $250,000 naming sponsorship for Lakemen Field in Waupaca, pushing phase one of the redevelopment past the $475,000 fundraising goal.
Work will begin next spring on the planned ballpark lighting system improvements at what will be known as Community First Lakemen Field, according to Waupaca Park and Recreation Director Laura Colbert and Josh Peterson, Lakemen General Manager.
Other first phase improvements will start in the fall of 2024, including construction of a new infield (with a 25+ year lifespan; last renovated in 1993) and installation of a new speaker/sound system.
In addition to the gift from Community First, the fundraising campaign for Phase 1 has received $141,000 in private donations, $25,000 in grants and $175,000 from the city as of Dec. 1.
A preliminary master plan for redevelopment of Lakemen Athletic Field by Rettler Corp., a Steven Point landscape design and architecture firm, was presented to the city last spring. It suggested a phased approach to upgrades that carry an overall cost of just under $2 million.
Future improvements include: a bathroom and concession building, an additional batting cage, right field fence adjustment, backstop, dugouts and 44-stall parking lot.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of Lakemen Field’s restoration/revitalization – honoring the Waupaca community’s strong baseball heritage and ensuring it will continue to serve as a community gathering place for all ages for years to come,” said Community First’s Amanda Secor.
Other major donors to the project included $25,000 each from L & L Propane and Farmers State Bank. Grants of $10,000 each have been received from the Waupaca Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and from an anonymous donor through the Community Foundation of the Fox Valley Region. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Give Back Program also awarded a $5,000 grant.
