The Carroll Athletic Association celebrated the nearly completed renovations to 68-year-old Merchants Park Thursday evening by inviting the public to Beers and Baseball after Hours to tour the refurbished structure. This summer will be the second season the Merchants are back in town, and Carroll Athletic Association President, Barry Bruner, is thrilled to see it all come together.
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Work on the nearly one-million dollar project began last year and addressed concerns with the grandstands, interior facilities, loudspeakers, backstop, and electrical and plumbing systems. Merchants Park was built in 1949 and has hosted clubs from the high school to semi-professional level. Baseball fans in the area needed to drive more than an hour and a half to catch a ball game before the Merchants came to Carroll. Athletic Association Board Member, Chris Whitaker, says the renovated stadium is bringing history back.
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All that remains is some minor painting, finishing touches and fencing before the Merchants are back in Carroll for their home opener on Friday, June 2 against the Storm Lake Whitecaps. Photos of the stadium can be found included below this story.