In 1982, the Beloit Brewers (now the Beloit Sky Carp) joined the Midwest League as a baseball expansion farm team for the Milwaukee Brewers. Since their inception 40 years ago, the team has undergone many changes including new Major League affiliations, multiple owners, and several team names. However, one thing that hasn’t changed throughout the years is the city they call home: Beloit, Wisconsin.

The landscape of baseball began to look bleak for the Minor League team in Beloit. The stadium, located outside of the downtown area, was in a state of disrepair. It lacked energy, and attendance was at an all-time low.

In 2018, Major League Baseball began reorganizing Minor League Baseball (MiLB) teams, with many teams being considered for elimination as part of the restructuring. In 2020, Beloit was one of them.

Faced with a deteriorating stadium and the pressure of meeting new standards, the Sky Carp were in dire need of a new field. Without it, the team would almost certainly be eliminated from the league and the community they called home would lose a valuable part of the City’s fabric.

THE MASTER PLAN: Recognizing an opportunity to save the team and reinvigorate the downtown Entertainment District, the River Bend Stadium Authority (RBSA), a non-profit organization, was formed. Discussions were quickly started with both public and private stakeholders regarding the idea of building a new stadium to ultimately be a catalyst for economic growth and community placemaking. To garner support from the City of Beloit and ensure the viability of this new stadium, the need for a Master Plan of the downtown area and neighboring Illinois city of South Beloit became apparent.

This Master Plan was developed through a collaborative effort to establish critical linkages, identify economic revitalization opportunities, implement placemaking components, and create a roadmap to address the growing needs of the Entertainment District. Although there were discussions about building the new stadium near I-90 for easy highway access, it was ultimately decided that revitalizing downtown Beloit and South Beloit would be more successful by drawing people closer to the area. Consequently, a 9-acre parcel along a bend of the Rock River was selected as the focus for the new stadium.

Many factors required consideration during the planning process including parking studies, multi-modal transportation coordination, and the planning and development of pedestrian corridors to encourage pedestrian movement between the stadium and the downtown Entertainment District. Studying extensions of the current trail connections and pedestrian pathways that weaved along the state borders and Rock River were also an important factor. In addition, the celebration of historical, cultural, and environmental features was paramount for the success of the project.

However, investigating the feasibility of this new property for ABC Supply Stadium would bring to light its storied past – along with potential problems that could quickly derail its construction.

A POLLUTED PAST: If the new stadium were to be built at this location, it would sit atop land that was once home to a manufactured gas plant, which had leaked carcinogenic pollutants into the surrounding soils. After the plant closed, the City constructed a wastewater treatment facility on the site in the latter half of the 20th Century. When the treatment plant eventually shut down, the lot remained unused until 2020, when the RBSA and master planning efforts recognized the potential value the property had to offer. Working closely with the Cities of Beloit and South Beloit, along with various environmental agencies, the design team developed a plan enabling the site to be selected and permitted as the future home of ABC Supply Stadium and the Beloit Sky Carp.

The design team then had to navigate several critical obstacles.

To mitigate future concerns about the site’s historical hazards and ensure the efficient design and construction of the new stadium, the team conducted a meticulous evaluation of gas layers trapped within the polluted soils. These soils contained several abandoned concrete foundations and were also complicated by a high water table.

Given the heavily polluted nature of the brownfield site, it was crucial to minimize the amount of earth removed to avoid disturbing and potentially spreading contaminants. This constraint influenced both the grading process and the determination of building and field elevations. Due to the high water table, the playing field was elevated higher than usual, leading to the lowest level being set at street level and the decision to omit a basement. To further mitigate risks, a specialized below-grade ventilation system was designed and installed in the ballpark, ensuring additional protection against any residual hazards.

THE DESIGN: The design of the stadium was inspired by Beloit’s rich industrial and railway heritage. Large brick archways and rustic industrial materials are utilized throughout the entire 3,500-seat capacity stadium. Using over 250,000 Wisconsin-manufactured bricks, these archways pay homage to the grand rail stations of the late 19th Century.

While reminiscent of early American days, ABC Supply Stadium was designed with the modern visitor in mind. The stadium design incorporates a 360-degree concourse providing a full view of the field, connections to the Rock River, and family-friendly features such as inflatables, playground areas, comfortable private suites, concessions, and individual event spaces.  

The team also prioritized sustainability by incorporating several environmentally friendly practices into the stadium’s design. These included the use of low-flow plumbing fixtures to conserve water, maximizing exterior glazing to bring natural daylight into interior spaces, and exceeding code requirements with a higher level of building insulation to enhance energy efficiency.

In addition to being the home of the Beloit Sky Carp, the stadium was specifically designed to host several year-round community destination events ranging from youth athletic competitions and concerts to banquets and movie nights. The flexibility of this venue makes it an economic driver of the community and provides an anchor destination within downtown Beloit.

A CONNECTED COMMUNITY: To lay the foundation for a thriving downtown, the stadium’s main gate was strategically positioned to face the Entertainment District, placing it just a 5-minute walk from a variety of emerging restaurants and businesses. This deliberate plan aimed to develop an area similar to Wrigleyville, combining vibrant aesthetics with an energetic atmosphere to generate excitement, attract the community, and foster additional business and development.

Complementing this vision, an extensive parking study confirmed the availability of over 900 spaces within a 10-minute walk, leading to the inclusion of 148 onsite parking spaces. While this arrangement necessitates that some visitors park farther from the stadium, the short walkthrough the downtown Entertainment District allows them to explore local businesses and restaurants. This approach also helps avoid large expanses of surface parking around the stadium, enhancing the overall aesthetic and functionality of the area.

ABC Supply Stadium and its operations are deeply connected to the surrounding community. The outfield concourse, for example, was designed to feature a rotating lineup of local food vendors throughout the year. This provides visitors with a diverse and ever-changing selection of fare. Stadium concessions also serve locally brewed beer and are managed by a company that operates two successful restaurants within 10 minutes of the ballpark. Additionally, a multi-use trail running through the stadium campus and along the Rock River connects downtown Beloit to South Beloit.

In short, every detail of ABC Supply Stadium was carefully considered to drive home the fact that it was built for the community.

A NEW ERA: The City of Beloit experienced hope and renewed energy with the start of the 2021 MiLB season. Commencing with the completion of ABC Supply Stadium, a new era of baseball was ushered in causing a resurgence of revitalization to be felt throughout downtown and the surrounding areas. The community now has a plan, and a foundation is in place for future projects and development.

The construction of ABC Supply Stadium was as much about keeping Minor League Baseball and the Sky Carps in Beloit as it was for building a stronger quality of life for the community and the City’s residents.

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PROJECT AWARDS:

1.     ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS OF WISCONSIN: 2021 “PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARD” - ABC Supply Stadium was ranked highest by a panel of 22 judges. This award recognizes the innovation, quality, and superior performance of the project team.

2.     ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS OF WISCONSIN: 2021 “PROJECTS OF DISTINCTION” GOLD AWARD - This award recognizes construction projects that are built on merit and are judged by a panel of construction experts based on several criteria including quality, owner satisfaction, unusual challenges and safety.

3.     THE DAILY REPORTER: 2021 “TOP PROJECT” AWARD - Out of 100 submissions, 40 were chosen for this award including ABC Supply Stadium.

4.     WISCONSIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: “BEST DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROJECTS OF 2021” - ABC Supply Stadium was awarded top honors in the “Best New Building Project” category.