Hart Park could reopen by Memorial Day following historic flooding, stadium scheduled to open by mid-May
CBS 58 WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Seven months after historic flooding, a Wauwatosa park and stadium that faced millions of dollars in damage could soon be reopened.
Hart Park could open by Memorial Day, with the stadium scheduled to open by mid-May. Monday, crews began tackling the sewer system under the turf. Once the weather stays consistently warm, city officials say contractors will start replacing the stadium’s turf.
“We wanted to go to Hart Park right from the beginning, and since 2017, we have played there with our men’s and our women’s teams. So, it’s our home,” said Andreas Davi, the owner of FC Milwaukee Torrent.
For months, Hart Park has sat in silence.
“The stadium, the softball field, the playground, the roads,” said Eva Ennamorato, communications manager for the City of Wauwatosa
The empty stands are a reminder of the historic flood that damaged the park and stadium last summer.
"Everything that we had was in that storage locker. And we’re talking TV cameras, payment terminals, our whole merchandise,” said Davi.
City officials estimate there was roughly $4 million in damage, but now, there are signs this field could soon come back to life.
“We were very fortunate to receive a $1 million donation from the Tosa Foundation,” said Ennamorato.
Earlier this year, the Wauwatosa Common Council approved using a little more than half of that donation to begin repairing the park. On Monday morning, crews began the first phase of repairs.
“I know when people look at a stadium’s turf and field they may think it’s just grass and sod, but there’s quite a bit that’s underneath that was damaged during the flood, and that needs to be repaired,” said Ennamorato.
In April, the second phase of the project will begin: repairing the turf.
“There’s not many options with the standards that we need for the league we are playing in,” said Davi.
While the donation doesn’t cover the entire cost of damages, city leaders are hopeful.
“Our priority is getting this repaired so that the community can use this again,” said Ennamorato.
By mid-May, these stands won’t remain so quiet.
“Just excited to go home again,” said Davi.
