Ballfield backers seek lease of Linn County property

Backers of a proposed baseball/softball complex are seeking to lease 121 county-owned acres near Marion for the project.

"It's the first step," said Jack Roeder, president of Prospect Meadows Inc., the non-profit corporation pursuing the project. "There will be many more to follow, but this gives us a real leg up."

A public hearing on Prospect Meadows' proposal for a long-term lease is on the agenda for Linn County supervisors' Monday work session, 9 a.m. at Linn County West at Westdale Mall. If no objection is raised, supervisors could sign off on the lease Wednesday.

Roeder, former Cedar Rapids Kernels general manager, said a formal agreement will allow Prospect Meadows to seek financing for the project, estimated to cost more than $9 million.

"That's a critical component for this project, to have that in place so we continue the planning," he said.

Prospect Meadows' plans call for 17 baseball and softball diamonds on the site east of Highway 13 and south of the county-owned complex that includes Linn County Conservation offices and the Abbe Center for Community Care. The site is currently rented as cropland.

A$20,000 county-funded feasibility study last year predicted the complex would draw 120,000 people each year to tournaments as players, spectators, or family members, with half coming from outside Eastern Iowa. The plan calls for eight fields each for softball and baseball, 1,200 parking spaces, a building housing offices and concessions sales, a playground, and a pond.

Two “premier fields” would include stadium-style seating for the final rounds of the three-dozen-odd tournaments Prospect Meadows supporters hope to schedule each season. Eight of the fields would have lighting for night play, and the complex would include a “miracle field” adapted for use by players with disabilities or special needs.

Prospect Meadows would employ six to 10 full-time, with up to 200 during tournament season.

Roeder said it's possible work could begin this construction  season, but financing must still be secured. Plans last year included a public financing campaign and grants from foundations and the state.

"I wouldn't say that's out of the question, to have some earthwork in 2012, but at this point I don't think we know," said Roeder. "Having this piece of the puzzle put together this allows us to go to some other phases."