Mayville Cares Raising Funds to Renovate Historic Fireman’s Field Grandstand

Mayville has always taken pride in its ballparks, and one of the community’s most recognizable landmarks, the Fireman’s Field grandstand, is now the focus of a major renovation effort.

The grandstand has stood for generations as a centerpiece of local baseball and community gatherings. Built before 1920, the original structure was located at the North Side Ball Park on land owned by Northwestern Iron Company, the home of Mayville’s first community team, the “Mayville Ironmen.” When NW Iron left town, the land was sold, and the grandstand was relocated to Fireman’s Field in the 1930s, where it has been in use ever since.

Over the decades, the structure has been more than just a place to watch ball games. In 1962, Mayville High School even held its graduation ceremony on the infield, a reminder of the grandstand’s role as a gathering place for milestones in community life.

Now, Mayville Cares Inc., a local 501(c)(3) foundation, has taken up the effort to preserve and improve this historic landmark. The group has raised about $50,000 so far, roughly 20 percent of its $250,000 goal. Their target is to complete the project by the spring of 2027.

Planned renovations will keep the classic exterior to preserve its historic look, while updating the inside to meet modern needs. The facility will become handicap accessible, and plans include an upper-level patio, new bleacher and bench seating, improved fencing, and additional storage areas. The project will stretch “dugout to dugout,” creating distinct sections for traditional bleachers, casual bench seating where fans can enjoy food, and a common patio area.

“Fireman’s Field is such an incredible place to watch a baseball game,” said Mayville Cares board member Scott Hilber. “So many people who come into town are impressed by it—the setting, the atmosphere. Our goal is to bring back the days when Legion championships and sectional tournament games were held here, and make it a destination again.”

Hilber, who moved to Mayville in 1985, remembers the grandstand as one of his first community experiences. “My first summer here, I went up to watch a baseball game,” he recalled. “Grandstands like that at ballparks are a special part of what makes a town feel like home.”

One challenge is the size of the structure itself. Even basic maintenance like painting requires a major effort. Renovation plans aim to make the exterior maintenance-free, reducing future costs for the city while enhancing the facility for decades to come.

The fundraising campaign has a baseball theme, with donation levels ranging from a “single” ($25–$499) to a “home run” ($10,000–$19,999) and even a “hit for the cycle” ($75,000–$100,000).

Donations can be made online at mayvillecares.com by clicking the “Donate Now” button, or by mailing a check to:
Mayville Cares, P.O. Box 13, Mayville, WI 53050.