Minor league soccer could soon come to Madison and Breese Stevens Field, if changes proposed to the contract between Breese Stevens operator Big Top Events and the city are adopted.
A report from The Capital Times notes Big Top’s current contract with the city ends in 2022 with an option to renew through 2027. Big Top Events President Vern Stenman is proposing a 10- or 15-year lease, which he said would help secure a soccer franchise for Madison, as well as allow for more improvements to be made at the stadium.
Suggested physical improvements to the stadium include upgrades to seating and locker rooms to bring the stadium in compliance with soccer league standards, along with a new public address system. Big Top Events also wants to amend its contract with the city to allow for a later ending time for events, as well as the sale of alcohol in private or ticketed spaces.
City officials have not indicated how much improvements could cost, but said any city funding would come from a combination of impact fees, general obligation bonding, and possibly private contributions.
A neighborhood meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 24 in the conference room at Festival Foods, 810 E. Washington Ave. to gather community input on the proposal.
