The city of Zion (Ill.) and the Lake County Fielders broke ground on a new ballpark yesterday, but some crucial details — like a funding plan — still need to be finalized.
The city of Zion (Ill.) and the Lake County Fielders (independent; Northern League) broke ground on a new ballpark yesterday, but some crucial details — like a funding plan — still need to be finalized.
Which should be a cause of concern. The ballpark is slated to open in June 2010, and given the colder climate of northern Illinois, it's a tight building schedule.
And complicating things is the uncertain nature of the ballpark's funding. Originally there was talk of using federal stimulus funds as part of the funding equation, but that appears to have fallen by the waysie as local officials looks for other sources of revenue, including a contribution from the team and possibly the state. The total cost of the ballpark is projected as $17 million.
RELATED STORIES: Fielders make pitch for fans, sponsors; Work begins on new Zion ballpark; Fielders unveil ballpark renderings; New for 2010: The Lake County Fielders; Lake County final team names released; New Northern League franchise puts season tickets on sale; Will Ehrenreich sell the Flyers?; Costner announces plans for Northern League team
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