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| University partners support Carson Park turf project
Muddy uniforms and a slick playing surface are things of the past for the UW-Eau Claire football team. Several longtime partners of UW-Eau Claire have made gifts through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation to help pay for the installation of artificial turf and a new scoreboard at Eau Claire’s Carson Park, the Blugolds’ home field. Completion of the $800,000 project is expected in time for the fall 2004 football season. Commitments to the Carson Park turf project through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation have included $100,000 each from RCU Investment and Insurance Services and Chippewa Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, as well as support from Mega Pick ’n Save/Marts, Kell Container Corp., the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, the L.E. Phillips Family Foundation, Xcel Energy, the Annis family, Ayres Associates, Jim Carter, Chippewa Valley Sporting Goods, Duane and Joan Dingmann, Hoops Inc., Saturn of Eau Claire, U.S. Bank and the Faanes family. The UW-Eau Claire Student Senate also pledged $300,000 toward the project in October 2003. The effort to replace the Carson Park football field’s natural grass with artificial turf began last fall as a result of concerns about the condition and safety of the playing surface, which becomes muddy due to heavy use. In addition to UW-Eau Claire, all Eau Claire high schools and youth football program participants use the Carson Park facility. “We are thrilled with these gifts to help fund a project that will benefit area young people of all ages and be a terrific community resource,” said Carole Halberg, UW-Eau Claire Foundation president. “Our partners are making something great happen for the youth of our community.” Blugold football players are enjoying the field upgrade. “Our team is excited about playing on the new surface,” said head coach Todd Hoffner. “It will be wonderful to have a field that’s in excellence condition from the beginning to the end of our season.”
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