Both the Billings Mustangs (Rookie; Pioneer League) and Billings officials believe that they are approaching a lease agreement for Dehler Park.
Under a proposal from Main Street Baseball and Dave Heller, the Mustangs would extend their lease at Dehler Park and come to terms with the city on planning future ballpark upgrades. Among the proposals is a new zip line and kids area that would be installed at the ballpark.
The city and the team have been working over the last several months to come to terms on the deal. As it stands, the lease might be closed to being finalized, as both Heller and members of the city committee tasked with negotiations are expressing confidence that an agreement will be reached. More from The Billings Gazette:
“I think we are really close,” said Councilman Larry Brewster, a member of the council committee that’s been negotiating with Dave Heller, the Mustangs’ managing partner.
Councilman Dick Clark, also a member of the committee, said Thursday he’s spoken twice to Heller and agreed that the parties are close to an agreement.
“We are going to try to get the lease done later this month,” Heller wrote in an email, “though a lot of that timing is based on the City Council’s designated committee and when they can get together.”
City Administrator Tina Volek said the committee is tentatively set to meet with Heller by telephone or via Skype on March 22. Before then, the committee will meet with the city’s bond counsel, Dorsey & Whitney, to discuss the proposed lease’s potential impact on the tax-exempt status on the Dehler Park bonds, which are still being repaid.
The Mustangs have played at Dehler Park since the facility opened in 2008. Main Street Baseball, which has added rides and amusements in similar projects at Modern Woodmen Park (Quad Cities) and LeLacheur Park (Lowell), completed its purchase of the Mustangs in 2014.
RELATED STORIES: Billings Discusses Dehler Park Lease; Billings Mustangs Seek to Extend Lease