GRAND CHUTE, WI — Fans of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers will see some changes at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in 2023.
The team announced Thursday afternoon an estimated $10 million plus renovation project which is set to be completed by next opening day.
Those include an expanded concourse around the stadium, which will give fans new game day perspectives. The home and visitors clubhouses will be rebuilt, with the home dugout moving from the third base line to the first base line. New management offices and locker rooms, and expanded weight rooms and lounges for the players are also planned.
Rob Zerjav, the President and CEO of Third Base Ventures/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, says the renovations are required now that Major League Baseball operates the minor leagues.
“Major League Baseball developed a set of criteria that every ballpark has to meet,” Zerjav said. “A lot of it involving square footage of areas around the clubhouse, bigger locker rooms, bigger coaches offices, video rooms, lighting, different field dimensions. There a three-year period to meet all of these standards starting in 2023.
New batting cages are also being added. Disabled fans will also see the expansion of wheel chair access from 55 to 110 seats. There will also be an additional bar added near center field. However, Zerjav says the most obvious addition will be something that’s very familiar to Milwaukee Brewers fans.
“Probably the most talked about piece will be that new amenity in left field, our left field slide,” he said. “It’s sort of an homage to the Brewers, as everybody’s familiar with “Bernie’s Slide” down at American Family Field. I think everybody secretly wishes they could go down that slide when they get there. So, our desire is to create that slide and make it available to the public.”
The renovations are the first since 2013. Work began after the Timber Rattlers played this year’s final home game. The renovations are scheduled to be finished in time for the home opener against Peoria on April 11, 2023.
