By Home to six national championships and 23 conference championship teams, Carroll College’s Nelson Stadium Enhancement Project is underway.
“All the blood sweat and tears that went into that dirt – the dedication and history – it was bittersweet,” Carroll Football Head Coach Troy Purcell said. “However, the opportunity that this brings outweighs any of the cons. This is the next advancement for Nelson Stadium and Carroll College.”
The Nelson Stadium Enhancement Project, will introduce a new synthetic turf, and a state of the art lighting system. Both additions will allow the stadium to be used year-round by both Carroll athletics and the city of Helena.
The new synthetic turf will officially be called Valley Bank Field at Nelson Stadium.
The sports that are set to benefit from the renovation are football, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s track, and softball. For football and soccer specifically, the stadium will be transformed from a game-only facility, into a consistent practice and game venue.
“The new atmosphere that it will create will be amazing,” starting quarterback Jack Prka, a junior secondary education major from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, said. “Practically, it will enhance the quality of the football team’s games and practices.”
Men’s and women’s track and field, along with softball will also benefit from the renovation. A dry consistent surface to practice on will benefit both teams. For softball, the dimensions of the stadium accommodate a full-sized softball field. Designs for the field are in progress and will be worked into the final product of new synthetic turf.
Renovation of Warren L. Nelson stadium will impact more than Carroll athletics. The new capacity of the stadium will create growth for the city of Helena, and the state of Montana.The newly renovated stadium will open up opportunities for concerts and other events as the capacity is expected to increase to more than 10,000.
The renovation will turn Carroll into an athletic hub. Nelson stadium will be able to host statewide athletic contests, including high school state championships and exhibition football and soccer games.
With an estimated cost of $5.4 million, the Nelson Stadium Enhancement Project is being fundraised through various donations. Valley Bank is the main contributor thus far with a sizable donation, bringing the total number of funds raised beyond the midpoint of what is needed.
An independent economic impact study conducted by Circle Analytics projects an estimated $22.77 million impact in Lewis & Clark County alone. Revenues from the stadium alone are expected to be $1.4 million from an estimated 8,800 attendees in the first year, and $18.9 million from an estimated 160,000 attendees over the next five years.
Overall, the Nelson Stadium Enhancement Project will benefit both Carroll College and the city of Helena in several different practical ways.
“The combination of the lights and the synthetic field will enhance the experience for all Carroll student athletes,” Carroll Athletic Director Charlie Gross said. “It’s a transformation of a facility that was very limited in its use and turning it into something that can be used on a daily basis.”
