Momentum Builds for $3.5 Million in Renovations for Carson Park

Fundraising efforts for $3.5 million in renovations to Carson Park Baseball Stadium, home of the Eau Claire Express (Summer Collegiate, Northwoods League), have hit a major milestone according to project stakeholders.  Read more and watch news report here.

Eau Claire Considering Carson Park Renovations

The City of Eau Claire (WI) is considering $3.5-million in upgrades to Carson Park, home of the Eau Claire Express (Summer Collegiate, Northwoods League).  The updates would include artificial turf and replacing rusty, portable aluminum bleachers from the 1960’s with safer permanent ones.  Watch news report and view renderings here.  Read more here.

Limiting Beer Sales at Carson Park?

The city of Eau Claire (WI) is considering limiting all-you-can-drink beer specials on the fan decks at Carson Park as part of a new lease with the summer collegiate Eau Claire Express (Northwoods League).  First, it’s not a problem (just like it isn’t at every other ballpark in America), so leave the team alone.  Second, when did the team add a new second-tier deck down the right foul line?  Read more and watch news report here.

Anti-Binge Drinking Group Opposition Forces Express to Withdraw Proposal for Decks

Facing opposition from an anti-binge drinking group and doubts the Eau Claire (WI) City Council would approve plans, the summer collegiate Eau Claire Express (Northwoods League) withdrew their request to add two small group decks within the grandstand at Carson Park.  Read more here.  View rendering of proposed deck here.  Don’t get us started!

Express Decks on Deck

A request by the summer collegiate Eau Claire Express (Northwoods League) to install two small fan decks within the grandstand of historic Carson Park will be voted on this week by the Eau Claire (WI) City Council.  Read more here.  We assume the decks will be similar in nature to the primitive suite decks built and used by the NWL’s Madison Mallards before Warner Park underwent major renovation.

Express Look to Add Decks to Carson Park, Unveil 10th Anniversary Logo

The Eau Claire (WI) Waterways and Parks Commission voted 7-5 Wednesday to allow the summer collegiate Eau Claire Express (Northwoods League) to construct two small fan decks within the upper grandstand at Carson Park.  Three rows (22 seats) of bench seating would be removed to accommodate the new decks.  The proposal will now go before the city council for final consideration.  Read more here.

Northwoods League Thriving

During the summer collegiate Northwoods League All-Star Game last night at Carson Park, home of the Eau Claire Express, the Star Tribune’s Patrick Reusse had a chance to talk with NWL chief Dick Radatz, Jr.  Reusse’s story is a bit of a rehash of the story we posted on July 9, but it’s worth a read.   That said, it’s very old news that the league is targeting the Twin Cities for expansion and its franchise fee is $1 million.  Read more here.

Eau Claire Hosting Banquet Tonight, NWL All-Star Game Tuesday

The summer collegiate Eau Claire Express kicked off the Northwoods League All-Star Game festivities this evening with a banquet to honor the all-stars featuring two-time World Series champion and former Minnesota Twins Manager Tom Kelly.  Watch news report here.  On Tuesday, the Express host a fan fest, Home Run Derby, All-Star Game, and post-game fireworks at historic Carson Park.

Express to Host 2013 Northwoods League All-Star Game

The summer collegiate Eau Claire Express will host the Northwoods League’s 2013 All-Star Game on July 23 at historic Carson Park in Eau Claire (WI).  The franchise also hosted the game  in 2010.  Read more and view news report here.

Carson Park Celebrates 75 Years

Historic Carson Park, home of the summer collegiate Eau Claire Express (Northwoods League), is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.  Many players coming up through the ranks did their time at the old stadium, including home-run king Hank Aaron, who is honored with a statue on the front plaza, Joe Torre, and Bob “Mr. Baseball” Uecker.  Read more and view news clip here.

Carson Park, BallparkHunter.com

Express Owner Withdraws Plan for Office, Museum at Carson Park

Eau Claire Express owner Bill Rowlett has withdrawn plans for an office and baseball museum at historic Carson Park, after the plan was rejected by two city commissions.  One claim is that the museum was just a ruse to place team offices on the property.  Read more here.

New Hall of Fame/Museum at Historic Carson Park?

Bill Rowlett, owner of the summer collegiate Eau Claire (WI) Express (Northwoods League) and architect Bill Anderson released more details yesterday of a proposed new baseball hall of fame and museum at historic Carson Park, one of our favorite ballparks.  Read more here.  View news clip here.