A proposed Frontier League ballpark was approved by Heartland Community College and the Normal City Council this week, paving the way for a 2010 opening.A proposed Frontier League ballpark was approved by Heartland Community College and the Normal City Council this week, paving the way for a 2010 opening.
The cost of the $12-million facility will be largely borne by the team’s ownership, headed by Steve Malliet, who already owns the River City Rascals (independent; Frontier League). The city of Normal will spent $1.5 million on a parking lot (and receive half of the parking proceeds), while Heartland Community College will spend $3.5 million on the project and lease land to Malliet’s group for $1 per year.
The votes this week were largely symbolic, with many terms already agreed upon in previous meetings. The big issue for the community college was what should happen should investors bail on the project (Heartland has the option to buy the facility, but is not obligated to do so), while city officials ensured they would not be spending money on the parking lot until most of the ballpark is completed.
Pendulum Studio of Kansas City is architect of record on the project.