Wausau Woodchucks
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Wausau Woodchucks owner Mark MacDonald was back at City Hall on Tuesday to address the city’s economic development committee regarding the use agreement between the franchise and the city for Athletic Park.
“The parking challenges out at Athletic Park have been going on for 12 years,” MacDonald told the Committee. “I don’t know how much knowledge is out there [about it,] but for me, I’m not going to go ahead with the softball and the turf unless I can get a recommitment from the city on the 2020 development agreement.”
That agreement called for the city to provide at least 150 parking spaces within .125 miles of Athletic Park By December 31st of this year. A memo from Economic Development Manager Randy Fifrick notes that the city wasn’t able to hold up that promise because of unforeseen circumstances.
The memo also states that the city does intend to work with the team to correct the situation in 2023.
Alder Lisa Rasmussen said she’s been encouraging city staff to get something done as well. “It’s come to my attention that the County Materials Corp and Wilson-Hurd property where Woodchucks fans have parked for years has perhaps come under new ownership. I’ve asked [Wausua Community Development Director Liz Brodeck] to work with the new owner to secure that lot for Woodchucks stadium parking like it’s always been.”
Rasmussen added that there are environmental concerns on the land that could be corrected by capping the land for parking anyway. “Hopefully those negotiations will commence because we do not want to lose this opportunity. I want to see that option thoroughly talked about.”
MacDonald once again touted the softball proposal to the committee, saying it would put the city at the forefront of women’s college sports while also providing more exposure for the city on ESPN’s streaming service, ESPN+. “It will say a lot about Wausau, especially when the games are on ESPN like the Woodchuck games.”
The Northwoods League has a streaming rights agreement with ESPN that allowed subscribers to watch select games during the 2021 regular season and all playoff games on ESPN+. College softball has also been a cornerstone for the service including coverage of events like the prestigious early-season St. Pete/Clearwater Invitational and games from the Big 12, SEC, and American Athletic Conference. Early-round NCAA Tournament action is also available to subscribers.
During Monday’s Parks and Recreation Committee meeting, MacDonald also noted that college softball games on ESPN including the Women’s College World Series have drawn better ratings than college baseball. The WCWS in Oklahoma City also draws attendance equal to or better than the MCWS in Omaha.
Tuesday’s agenda item was for discussion purposes only, and no action was taken. It’s expected that the committee will revisit the proposal early next year.
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