Prospects for Prospect Meadows

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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When Jack Roeder signed on, “we became even more excited” about Prospect Meadows, Linn County supervisor Brent Oleson said Friday.

Roeder certainly seems like the right guy to lead the proposed baseball/softball complex project. He brings credibility, visibility, community commitment and management skills honed by his long stint as general manager of the Cedar Rapids Kernels professional baseball team.

Prospect Meadows may seem like a pipe dream to some. But it takes big-picture thinking to develop major new attractions. And there's a lot about Prospect Meadows that is attractive.

County supervisors liked the concept enough to approve $20,000 of public money for a feasibility study due in July. Oleson believes the project has the potential to positively impact the metro area's economy, image and quality of life.

Preliminary plans for the estimated $9 million project include:

l 17 baseball and softball diamonds for various age groups, including a “miracle field” designed for kids with disabilities.

l Develop 30 to 35 tournaments a year, including weeklong summer competitions and camps that could draw teams and fans from throughout the Midwest.

l Donating the non-profit organization's proceeds to local charitable organizations.

l Building on 120 acres of county-owned land just east of four-lane Highway 13 and south of County Home Road on Marion's northeast edge.

l Incorporating fishing ponds, playgrounds and other amenities to entice visitors.

Backers project up to $25 million annually in direct spending generated by tournament teams and visitors. Roeder says there's nothing of this project's scale in Iowa or nearby.

There are issues and questions to address. The effect of high gas prices on drawing teams from other states. Iowa's outdoor season, relatively short compared to southern states where such complexes are more common. Lining up enough private-sector support to cover most if not all, upfront costs. Is the location accessible enough? Would the county, which leases the land for about $20,000 a year, lease, sell or donate the land for the project? Would taxpayers be on the hook for any more funding?

Nonetheless, Oleson says all the supervisors like the concept so far. “We want to be sure this makes financial sense, but we also want to do things that are good for the community. Too many people are against everything. We need more positives.”

Agreed. But first things first. Let's see what the feasibility study says.

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