Lawmakers Push for $5.7M in Bonding for Wade Stadium
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DULUTH - After six years of fighting for bonding for Wade Stadium, lawmakers are making it a priority again this legislative session.
The City of Duluth is requesting $5.7 million to tighten up Wade Stadium's crumbling structure, replace the uneven playing surface, lights, and scoreboards and expand fan amenities.
Huskies officials sadi these fixes will improve safety, bring the park up to modern standards and allow the stadium to be used for community activities and events nine months out of the year.
"So that the users have a quality place to play not only just the Huskies but the entire community," Duluth Huskies general manager Craig Smith said. "There's so many things that this thing can be used for if the renovations occur and we're looking forward to that."
City officials said they are backing bonding for Wade Stadium 100 percent.
If the request for $5.7 million is rejected, city officials said they will ask for $2.2 million which will pay for some of the crucial fixes the stadium needs.
Huskies officials said if they do not get funding at all this year, they will have to decide what's best for their players from a safety standpoint.
If the bonding does go through, construction will start this year and the stadium would be ready to play in by late May 2015.