The attempt to bring a summer-collegiate Northwoods League team to Waukesha, Wis. for 2009 failed after Chad Bauer failed to close on financing for the $2 million facility; 2010 is the new goal.
The attempt to bring a summer-collegiate Northwoods League team to Waukesha, Wis. for 2009 failed after Chad Bauer failed to close on financing for the $2 million facility, according to city officials.
In a letter sent to city officials, league president Dick Radatz Jr. informed the city Bauer would not be moving ahead with previously approved construction of a ballpark at an existing Frame Park diamond after consultations with the ballpark engineer and contractors. Instead, Bauer and the league will work toward a 2010 opening; Bauer laid out his plans in a letter sent to Waukesha officials yesterday. (A copy of the letter is attached to this story; go to the end and download the attached PDF.)
For Bauer, the approval came after years of work and a zoning process that led to several changes in the ballpark design. The deal called for Bauer to invest $2 million in a new grandstand and bleacher seating, while the city would spend $210,000 on new lights.
Still, the approval stands, and the new goal for Waukesha is the 2010 season.
The more immediate issue for the league: setting up a schedule for 2009. Presumably a Waukesha team would have replaced the Brainerd Blue Thunderafter the league took possession of that franchise after financial issues this offseason.
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