Committee approves naming Stewart Park amphitheater for Madame Waltraud Carcar

The Wausau Parks, Recreation and Forestry Committee on Feb. 3 voted unanimously to name the amphitheater at Stewart Park in honor of Madame Waltraud Carcar.

A group of local residents led the proposal and described fundraising to install a bronze memorial on the amphitheater wall and plans for a rededication. One speaker who identified herself as a project organizer said the group is “trying to collect funds” and “we're hoping, since you've already approved that, we can have a rededication. We're hoping we're aiming for May, but we'll see.”

Committee members discussed how the dedication would appear on existing signage at the park. One resident suggested putting the amphitheater name on the Stewart Park sign’s third line — which now reads “rededicated in ’91” — or adding the amphitheater name to that sign and noted the park itself would retain its Stewart Park name. An alder said the city sign shop could handle a sign update.

Alder Neal moved to approve the naming; Alder Rasmussen seconded. The committee approved the motion unanimously.

Committee members and the residents said they would coordinate on the exact sign text and placement. The committee did not vote to rename the park itself; members said the action applies only to the amphitheater and the proposed bronze memorial and rededication would be handled through fundraising and staff coordination.