Restored, Refurbished, and Revamped Caswell Gets a Makeover

Restored, Refurbished, and Revamped Caswell Gets a Makeover

BY NATE BOOTS

The times are (ever) a-changin', and with those changin’ times, improvements are often essential. The Caswell Park sports complex in upper North Mankato has been a center for vibrant sporting activity and local entertainment and commerce since it was built in the mid-1980s. Recently, multi-million dollar refinements funded by local sales tax, state grants, and various donors have been made, and Caswell is ready to show local residents and visitors what they’re getting for their investments.

The director of Caswell Sports, Phil Tostenson, weighed in on the latest developments in a recent exchange with North Kato magazine.

Q: Can you highlight for us what the latest improvements are to Caswell?

A: Last winter, we remodeled the bathrooms and expanded the concession stand. This past summer and into this winter, we replaced all the chain link fence, some of which was still the original, we remodeled the dugouts to double their size with two points of entry, we replaced all scoreboards with our North Mankato colors, we added a net style backstop, which is great for spectators to view through, we installed new LED lights, which just about doubled the candle power on the fields, and we launched a new streaming service which will allow you to stream games on your computer, phone, and soon your television.

Q: Are you satisfied with the renovations? How will the renovations impact the North Mankato community?

A: Overall, we’re very happy with the renovations. Of course, there were some items that had to be cut once bids came in to keep it within budget. We wanted to replace the brick in the commons area with concrete to have a much more level surface. Another item we had to cut was shade structures on top of the buildings for spectators. That was one of the top feedback items on the user groups’ wish list. Caswell was already a great complex, and teams from outside the region loved it and couldn’t believe the local user groups were able to play at such a nice facility. I think with the renovations, it will reaffirm how great of a complex we have, and we will be able to attract more teams from outside this region to bolster the economic impact on our community by bringing those teams in.

Q: Updating sports and entertainment venues can be a tough job sometimes. Tell us why you think it's vital that the community values their sports and entertainment options.

A: If you look at the economic impact of sports tourism, you can understand why it’s important to improve, expand, and build sport facilities. Studies have shown sports tourism is a trillion-dollar business. It helps to bring outside dollars into our economy. It’s important to invest in these facilities. Also, we have many sport user groups who are growing and need more facilities to operate their programs. These are the same groups that bring in teams from outside our regions with games, events, and tournaments they run.

Q: How did you come to work for Caswell, and what's the nature of the work you do there?

A: I started working at Caswell after high school. I honestly had no idea what I wanted to do. After a few years of doing general eds at Minnesota State, I decided on the Park and Recreation major. After college, I started full time for the North Mankato Parks Department. Around 2014, under new administration, I was asked to take over the Caswell Park and Caswell Soccer Complex operations by scheduling them and working with the local user groups on their events. Through the years we are now hosting one to two national tournaments a year and three invitational tournaments at the youth levels. Caswell Sports is now the name of the organization that operates the complex as well as the adult and youth recreation activities including wrestling and youth football.

Q: What's your favorite thing about living and working in the Kato area?

A: This community has everything needed for recreation, both sports and cultural, some great parks, great universities with their educational and sports programs as well as some great small businesses which are fun to shop at. There is never a shortage of things to see and do.