The pitch for a sports complex anchored by a new summer-collegiate Northwoods League ballpark in the far Milwaukee suburbs has taken a step forward, receiving a key recommendation from an Oconomowoc commission.
Diamond Club Entertainment has been seeking to build a new ballpark as part of a sports complex, and has explored a few different locales in Wisconsin for a site. An early iteration of the plan was pitched in Pewaukee, before the group set its sights on Summit and then later shifting the effort to Oconomowoc. Under the current proposal, the project would include a 2,500-capacity ballpark, featuring a mix of traditional and table-top seating. In addition, the complex would feature an indoor wellness facility.
Last week, the proposal took a step forward, as the Oconomowoc Plan Commission recommended approval of a land-use plan amendment and a request to rezone more than 21 acres at the ballpark’s proposed site–on Blue Ribbon Circle North in the Pabst Farms Commerce Centre–to accommodate the project. The recommendation was directed toward the common council. Project backers are hoping that the ballpark can be home to a Northwoods League team. More from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Diamond Club Entertainment —Tim Neubert, Tom Kelenic and Sonny Bando —previously proposed similar projects in the city of Pewaukee and village of Summit.
The Oconomowoc proposal includes a 43,000-square-foot wellness facility that would feature a multisport artificial turf playing surface for baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer, rugby and possibly more sports. A strength-and-conditioning facility, physical therapy and chiropractic services, indoor concession and food/beverage lounge would also be included.
The outdoor multi-use playing surface would have 2,200 fixed seats and 300 table top seats. Neubert said they hope the park will be the future home of a Northwoods League franchise. The Northwoods League is a summer league for college baseball players that recently completed its 25th year of operation.
“This is for and built around family entertainment,” Neubert said. “It offers the collegiate athlete the opportunity to play, but most importantly it offers the family the ability to come to a game at a fraction of what it would cost to go to Miller Park.”
Oconomowoc is located west of Milwaukee in Waukesha County.
Rendering courtesy Blue Ribbon Baseball.