Duluth Huskies fans know Wade Stadium very well, but some changes are coming to the stadium this year for both the Huskies and their fans.

Built in 1941, Wade Stadium has seen it all.

The decision to build Wade Stadium originated with a 1938 study commissioned by Walter Chantigney, chairman of Duluth’s citywide all-sports committee. The study found that the Duluth Dukes’ existing stadium, Athletic Park, was obsolete.

While not exactly the case in present day, the historic Wade Stadium is improving the playing and fan experience.

“It’s awesome to see. You know, I’ve been here since 2018, and it’s the first year we’re seeing major field upgrades, and obviously it’s still getting done here, but we’re looking forward to it being completed for that home opener and everybody to check it out,” said Huskies head coach Marcus Pointer.

In April, the Duluth City Council unanimously approved $260,000 for turf upgrades part of an expected $1.2 million of additional upgrades.

For some, Wade Stadium is the big venue to play at, and the renovations are long overdue.

“For me, this was kind of the place to play in playoffs for high school around here, so it’s cool to be able to play here a lot more,” said current Proctor senior and soon to be Duluth Husky, Nick Terhaar. “When we play here, it’s a cool like, ‘hey, we’re going to play at Wade.’ There should be a big crowd there, so I think it’s really cool to be able to have this at home field.

Yeah, I’ve been playing here since I was 10 years old, so seeing it get new turf and some renovations is awesome,” added Bjorn Lind, a former Duluth East baseball player and current Husky.

For those coming from out of town to spend a summer with the Huskies, the stadium improvements have certainly caught their eye.

“Wade is an older stadium,” said Huskies pitcher Gilbert Saunders. “I mean, it’s very evident. I still think it’s a beautiful stadium. Last year, there were some moving parts in the locker room where things were a little, you know, like crumbling or the field would sometimes get a little flat. To come into Duluth this year and I’m like, wow, like all this work, like we’re pouring money into this, you know, better venue for the fans, better venue for the players. It really shows that Duluth really cares about sports, and I think the field looks beautiful, drop dead gorgeous. No place I’d rather be.”

The stadium – and the league – will see another change. A safety first base will be implemented, which features a two sided first base that runners will run on one side, while first basemen field on the other.

With the improvements comes a summer that Huskies fans may never forget.

“There is nothing like the Wade at night,” said Saunders. “I love this place. I love the energy it brings. I love the fans, the passion of fans of Duluth.”