The initial push has been made to fund a plan to improve the fields and facilities associated with Sturgeon Bay school athletics. Sturgeon Bay’s city council approved a $10,000 contribution to the preliminary planning study. While the process is in the very early stages, a group of Sturgeon Bay residents were inspired several years ago to get this idea in people’s minds. One of the residents, Dan Lenius spoke at the city council meeting on Tuesday about how the plan came to be and some of the renovations he and others would like to see. One of the reasons for these upgrades is so Sturgeon Bay could host more events that would bring a lot of spectators to track meets, athletic tournaments, and camps. Improvements include rubberizing the track, a turf infield, improved parking, a building with dry locker rooms, training facilities, concessions, storage room, and a press box. The project was described to be in the “design/development phase.” This phase would need to be completed before capital campaigning. Other logistics that would need to be solved are preliminary and conceptual drawings, getting a general contractor to provide a preliminary budget, survey, electrical plans, engineering plans, plumbing plans, as well as HVAC plans. Lenius did not just have athletics in mind when talking about what attracting more events and spectators can do. 

Several other council members thought this would be great for the community and could help area businesses. Councilwoman Helen Bacon cited when she and the rest of the Parks and Recreation Committee were led on a facility tour of Memorial Stadium which offered her perspective on the project. 

The Committee commended Lenius on his efforts as the council unanimously voted to approve the $10,000 request.