Tom Prince Memorial Park: history from the Colfax Messenger archives

By LeAnn R. Ralph

COLFAX  —  Tom Prince Memorial Park is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.

In addition to celebrating the anniversary of the ball field, the Colfax Softball Association is celebrating the installation of electric scoreboards and new lights this summer.

The park started out as the Colfax Recreation Park.

Here is some of the history of Tom Prince Memorial Park from the Colfax Messenger archives:

• May 3, 1979 —  It was a mighty big bonfire that Ken Tape started Saturday, April 28, as Colfax Area Jaycees began a clean-up effort on the site of the proposed community ballpark.

• May 24, 1979, Messenger from the May 14, 1979, Colfax Village Board meeting: It was reported that the village has purchase from Colfax High School the athletic field lights for the proposed Colfax Recreation Park. It was also reported that the operators union will not give the National Guard permission to bulldoze the stumps from the recreation park. It was suggested that the village seek local excavation help. West Cap will possibly be able to supply summer help for this village project. The board suggested that 10 youths would be a sufficient number.

• October 4, 1979, Messenger from the September 10, 1979, village board meeting: Member Larson reported that contrary to popular belief, the Village of Colfax is not constructing the Colfax Recreation Park (ball field) for the sole purpose of providing an outlet for the Colfax Jaycees to sell beer. Larson also reported that several taxpayers stated that they were not in favor of the village spending tax dollars for this purpose.

• November 22, 1979, Messenger from the November 12, 1979, village board meeting: Member [Tom] Prince reported that Woods Run Forest Products will move the light poles from the high school grounds to an area near the Colfax Recreation Park.

• February 21, 1980 Messenger from February 11, 1980 village board meeting: [Tom Prince was chair of the parks, recreation and cemetery committee by this time.] Chairman Prince reported that he has obtained some information on the installation of the lights and poles at the Colfax Recreation Park ball field. Jim’s Electric out of Menomonie had wired the lights at the high school. He also talked to a representative of N.S.P. about setting the poles.

• April 3, 1980 Messenger from the March 25, 1980, village board meeting: Chairman Prince advised that Mike Boyd and Roger Hainstock have marked and moved the light poles to the spot where they are to be situated. Measurements will be needed for the depth each will have to be planted and the height for placement of the cross arms.

• June 19, 1980, Messenger from the June 10, 1980, village board meeting: Chairman Prince advised the board that the cross arms and brackets have been attached to the light poles. Jim’s Electric will do the wiring for $4,990

• July 24, 1980, Messenger from the July 14, 1980, village board meeting: Chairman Prince reported that the light poles have been set. The only reply to the advertisement for bids on fill and leveling at the Colfax Recreation Park was from Taylor Excavating, so Taylor will be doing that part of the work. Also discussed with relation to the park were various types of toilets, fencing, parking, setting grades and fill.

• August 7, 1980, Messenger from the July 28, 1980, village board meeting: Chairman Prince reported that the ball field is coming along fine.

• August 21, 1980, Messenger from the August 11, 1980, village board meeting: Chairman Prince reported that the ball field is progressing well. He reported that he has a drawing of a toilet for the ball field. The committee will be seeking information on a watering system for the ball field. Jerry Schwegman reported that it would cost about $1,500 for a well, pump and pump house. A motion was offered by Haugle and seconded by Borofka that a special vote of thanks be extended to Mike and Dave Henderson, James Schindler and Al Sundstrom for their generous help at the ball field in readying the ground for fill.

• September 4, 1980, Messenger from the August 25, 1980, village board meeting: Chairman Prince reported that the ball field has part of the black dirt hauled in, the infield limed, and a bid was received on the seeding and fertilizer.

• October 23, 1980, Messenger from the October 13, 1980, village board meeting: Chairman Prince reported that the shale has been spread at the Colfax Recreation Park. Measurements will be made for the restrooms and storage building also the fence line has been marked. Gerald Schwegman reported that a well could be dug for a cost of $842.50, and a holding tank, toilet stools, urinal and pump system could be had for an estimate cost of $1,925.

• May 14, 1981: With good growing weather expected, the Colfax softball field should be ready for use in the foreseeable future. Village Trustee Tom Prince figures on opening the field after the first seeding of grass reaches sufficient height to be cut once.

• June 4, 1981: Clyde Prince, Tim Prince and Tom Prince installed bases over the Memorial Day weekend at the village’s new softball field.

• June 11, 1981: Three teams of Little League players got in an hour of practice at Colfax’s new village ball field June 8. Four Little League teams planned to play the first double-header June 9. As of June 4, the village had spent $25,783 on the new ballpark, with the state returning $12,198 under the Outdoor Recreation Aids program. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources approved a $30,000 project on a 50-50 basis. John Jahr, village clerk, estimated $2,800 remained.

• June 25, 1981: Village trustee Tom Prince told the village board he still was unable to obtain DNR approval for construction of toilet facilities at the village’s ball field due to the area being classified  as in the floodway of the Red Cedar River.

• July 30, 1981: Paul Wittrock asked the Colfax Village Board at the July 27 meeting if his softball team could put on a tournament August 28-30 at the village’s new softball field. This was the first request to use the new field for a tournament.

• September 1, 1981 Messenger: The first softball tournament on the village’s new field attracted 16 teams and plenty of spectators August 28-30. Badger Boys, a team composed of players from Ridgeland and Prairie Farm, captured the first place slot in the first men’s slowpitch softball tournament ever at Colfax’s new softball diamond. To garner their trophy and $400 in prize money, the Badger Boys came through the 16 team double elimination tournament undefeated.

• Larry Knudson, a member of the Outhouse team, claimed the one-of-a-kind distinction of belting the first over-the-fence home run on Colfax’s new softball diamond at the first tournament.

• July 22, 1982, Messenger: Al Johnson was injured July 7, 1982. Johnson took a fall while sawing off a tree branch.

• September 23, 1982, Messenger: A picture on the front page of a pig roasting. “On its ways to becoming sandwiches, a pig roasts slowly over a wood fire during the September 18-19 Al Johnson Benefit Softball Tournament, for those over 30, at the Colfax Recreational Park. Sponsored by AAL Branch 4594, the event put on by local people featured two roast porkers, other food and beverages and teams from Colfax, Elk Mound, Bloomer, Ridgeland, Sand Creek and other areas. The Pines, Bloomer, won the event.” This issue of the Messenger included other photographs of the tournament.

• September 23, 1982, Messenger, from August 23, 1982 village board meeting: Chairman Prince reported that the Green Thumb had been doing work on the grounds and buildings of the Colfax Recreation Park. He also reported that a meeting was held between the Committee and the Colfax Softball Association concerning usage fees. A motion was offered by Borofka and seconded by Prince that the following fees and charges be assessed for use of the Colfax Recreation Park ball field: use by local and non-profit associations and organizations, three days, $150 (includes maintenance); two days, $100 (includes maintenance); use by a profit making organization, three days, $175 (maintenance included) and additional charge of $8.50 per hour for lighting will be assessed also a $50 deposit is required. Single game use of the field without use of the concession stand, $20; all organizations will be responsible for cleaning up the facilities and also be responsible for any damage to property and will be assessed for any of these requirements not satisfactorily met; scheduling use of the field requires an application for use made with the village clerk five business days prior to the event; all usage fees are to be paid in advance of the scheduled event; these fees are subject to change without notice. (Approved unanimously.)

• Tom Prince died December 6, 1991.

• A ceremony on September 10, 1994, formally dedicated the Colfax softball field in memory of Tom Prince.