HELENA — On a sun-splashed morning, adjacent to a mound of dirt with an excavator perched atop, and with concrete trucks coming and going in the distance, Carroll College President John Cech proclaimed Valley Bank the naming rights sponsor of the Nelson Stadium Enhancement Project.
Henceforth, Cech said, the playing surface will be known as Valley Bank Field at Nelson Stadium, a partnership hatched on a hike in Clancy alongside Valley Bank President Mark Anderson.
Officially announced in September, phase one of the project includes the installation of a synthetic turf field – capable of accommodating football, softball, lacrosse, soccer, and some track and field activities – stadium lights, and a sizable concrete retaining wall.
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While college officials declined to confirm the specific dollar amount of Valley Bank’s contribution, Cech described it as a “substantial amount” that propelled Carroll to the half-way point of its $5 million fundraising goal.
Specific fundraising information, Cech said, will be released once that goal is met, something that could stretch beyond the anticipated August completion date.
By Tuesday, the grass playing surface and several layers of dirt had been removed and work started on a concrete retaining wall and softball dugouts.
Carroll Athletic Director Charlie Gross said Tuesday Saints student-athletes will be “impacted on a daily basis” by the upgrades, adding that a surface previously used roughly 18 times a year will be transformed into one used daily.
Father Patrick Beretta, chair of Carroll’s board of trustees, blessed the field with holy water and conducted a prayer.
“We ask that you bless this field,” Beretta prayed. “May it be a place of gathering, a place of welcome. Bless our athletes and bless our coaches and fans who inspire them and guide them…
“May we celebrate on this ground, not just victories, but sportsmanship, respect, and new friends.”
Helena Activities Director Tim McMahon confirmed Tuesday both Helena High and Capital will host Thursday night football games at Nelson Stadium in October.
Cech reiterated his hope of attracting the Montana East-West Shrine Game to Nelson Stadium and said he invited the University of Montana and Montana State football teams, through each university’s president, to host spring scrimmages at the facility, once completed.
Currently, Carroll’s football team is scheduled to open its 2024 season on Sept. 7 with a non-conference game against Montana Tech.
Nelson Stadium originally opened in 2001.
Email Daniel Shepard at daniel.shepard@406mtsports.com or find him on Twitter/X @IR_DanielS.