The home of the Rockford Rivets (summer collegiate; Northwoods League) has been sold, with a news report indicating that a California company has purchased Rivets Stadium.
WIFR is reporting on the story. Rivets Stadium was reportedly sold on December 28 by Northside Community Bank, with River Rock Properties of Illinois, LLC purchasing the facility for $820,000.
Rivets Stadium originally opened in 2006, and was first used for independent Frontier League action. The Rockford Aviators last played in the Frontier League in 2015, while the Rivets moved into the ballpark in time for the 2016 Northwoods League season.
The ballpark, which is located in suburban Loves Park, was previously put on the block by Northside Community Bank in 2015 before the company pulled back on the sale.
UPDATE: The Rivets have been told by the new owner that nothing will change under the terms of the current ballpark lease, which runs for two more years. However, given that it’s likely the property was purchased for development (the land is probably worth much, much more than the very basic ballpark sitting upon it), the long-term future of the league-owned team will need to be addressed in coming years.