Top Menu

Hillsboro: We have a deal with the Yakima Bears

New Hillsboro ballpark

Hillsboro Mayor Jerry Willey says his city has received approval from the Yakima Bears and the Northwest League on a term sheet for a new ballpark, paving the way for final approval June 26.

The Bears and the Northwest League have not confirmed Willey’s statement, made today during an online chat sponsored by The Oregonian.

If there is indeed an agreement — and we have no reason to believe there is not — and a final lease approved, a new ballpark could open for the 2013 season. Two more bodies need to weigh in: Minor League Baseball, which will review any agreement, and Major League Baseball also has a chance to veto (but it’s never happened).

The new $15.2-million facility will be built on city-owned land at the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex. 

Groundbreaking of the ballpark is tentatively set for October, with a June 2013 opening planned. Hoffman Construction will design and build the new facility. The Bears’ lease in Yakima runs through 2015 but can be broken if the team pays a penalty

Image courtesy of Hillsboro.

RELATED STORIES: Debate continues: Can Portland area support two short-season teams?Milwaukie, Northwest League discussing team, ballparkHillsboro approves offer sheet to Yakima BearsHillsboro set to vote on new ballpark; Milwaukie will delay decisionMilwaukie advances, Hillsboro retreats in Portland-area ballpark raceYakima County: We’ll discuss ballpark upgradesPlan B for Bears: Work on Yakima ballpark planAdmissions tax voted down in Clark CountyMilwaukie seeks public input on new ballparkMilwaukie moves ahead with ballpark-feasibility studyClark County postpones ballpark hearingCounty scales back commitment to Portland-area ballparkCompeting ballpark plans in PortlandNew Portland-area ballpark could provide economical bump: studyClark County reverses course; will exclusively negotiate with BearsClark County passes on exclusive negotiations with Bears; opposition to new ballpark risesFunding plan emerges for new Clark County ballpark;Yakima Bears to Portland area

—-

Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.

Are you a subscriber to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter? You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.

Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!

Follow Ballpark Digest on Google + and add us to your circles!

, , , , , , , , ,