Breese Stevens Stadium to get a new press box TODAY!

After successful renovations in 2007 and 2009, Breese Stevens Stadium is now installing a new press box in its facility. Breese Stevens Stadium, located on 917 E. Mifflin Street, is a historical landmark owned and operated by the City of Madison Parks Division. It's used primarily as a soccer facility where area high schools including East, LaFollette, West, Memorial and Edgewood High, and Edgewood College and the Madison 56ers soccer team have all played. "As a 20-year tenant of Breese Stevens Field Edgewood College is thankful for the press box upgrade," states Director of Athletic Communications for Edgewood College David Petroff. "Edgewood College would like to thank the City of Madison and both construction companies on working together to get this project completed." The new press box will allow people to film and monitor the field from an elevated position 12 feet above the ground. Edgewood's Petroff adds, "We can continue to provide videocasting of every Edgewood College home event on the internet, since we have a protected, wired location to set up equipment. We'll also have the option of adding broadcasters to key matches to further enhance our coverage of Eagle Athletics, which benefits the College in terms of recruiting and exposure and showcases Breese Stevens Field, a classic, historical stadium." The press box itself is ready after being constructed in Green Bay, according to Tom Maglio, landscape architect for Madison Parks. All that remains is building the support structure and footings in the ground. "The entire project should be done by Labor Day weekend," Maglio said. Over the years, the turf and premiere playing conditions at Breese Stevens have remained top-notch; however, the 1926 facility was showing its age. In 2007, a phase of major renovations began in order to address several structural issues in the facility. Specifically, there was major concrete decking repair, replacement of the storm sewer system for better field and bleacher drainage, and accessibility improvements to get up to ADA code. Developments continued in 2009 with the help of a $100,000 grant from the Dane County and Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) Sports Venue Development Fund. This helped pay for the addition of new referee locker rooms, the updating of existing locker rooms and wall repairs. Currently, there is work on exterior improvements along Paterson St. to add plantings while upgrading seating areas, benches and tables. Improvement plans for this facility do not stop there. Kevin Briski, Madison Parks Superintendent added, "With the stadium improvements and now the press box, the long term plans for Breese Stevens include the addition of artificial turf to enhance soccer play and additional scheduling of soccer, football and other field sports."

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