Stout Astrodome upgrades set for summer completion

STOUT – For the past several years, members of the Stout Ballpark Task Force have been spearheading a revival project at the old Stout Astrodome.
 
The group hopes that facility upgrades, such as adding ADA-compliant restrooms and a new concession stand, will help bring more teams out to join the league, and more spectators to enjoy the show.
 
After raising $22,000 in grants and donations over the past couple of years, the group broke ground on the project last summer when the initial plumbing and concrete were installed at the site.
 
Now, they hope to have the new concession stand and restrooms completed and ready for use by July of this year.Nolan Junker, a member of the Stout Ballpark Task Force, says he’s eager to be one step closer to completing the project.
 
“It’s exciting,” Junker said. “It’s been a long process; we’ve been working on it for the past three or four years, but it’s nice to see it come together. We’re hoping this will bring more people out [to the ballpark].”
 
Junker said that as word has gotten out about the upgrades, they’ve already seen an increase in teams and spectators.
 
Last summer, the league jumped from four teams to six teams. He’s hoping this league season – which runs from mid-July to mid-September of each year – Stout Astrodome upgrades set for summer completion will see even more people getting involved.
 
Junker said that the contractor doing the construction should be on the site by the middle of next month, and he guessed that the work should be done in a few weeks from then. After that, a plumber and electrician will work on the finishing touches before the new facilities open up in July - just in time for the season kick-off tournament, which will be held during Stout’s annual Freedom Fest event on July 7.
 
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