Grandstand fundraising effort increasing pace

The Glacier Twins American Legion Baseball program said this week it’s stepping up the pace on a $1.25 million fundraising campaign to rebuild the stadium at Memorial Field in Whitefish.

Fundraising has been ongoing since the original 1930s-era grandstand was condemned and demolished in 2002. The Whitefish City Council agreed to shut down the historic grandstand based on an engineering report that recommended replacement of all wood bleachers in the city park system.

 Since then, the Glacier Twins program has been working to design a concept for the new stadium and raise money.

The vision for the new stadium will encompass all the nostalgia of the past but be so much more to the citizens of Whitefish, organizers said. It will be a major stadium within walking distance to downtown Whitefish, with the ability to host not only baseball games but also concerts, reunions, outdoor theater, public meetings, conventions and outdoor graduation events.

The new facility will be handicap-accessible and accommodate seating for 900 to 1,000. Major features include restrooms, a concession stand, locker rooms and office space.

Preliminary construction began last year with a foundation, support columns and roof over the stadium, and new backstop completed. The goal is to complete the bleachers this spring if enough money can be raised. About $264,000 has been raised to date.

For more information, naming opportunities and to make a gift or three- year pledge, contact Kurt Blades at 261-5584, P.O. Box 2007, Whitefish, MT 59937.