Waukesha Northwoods Stadium Plan Clears Major Hurdle

WAUKESHA, WI -- A proposed Northwoods League baseball park cleared a major hurdle this week when the city's finance committee unanimously recommended moving ahead with the project.

According to Ballpark Digest, Big Top Baseball have been working on a proposed stadium project for Mindiola Park, which calls for the construction of a 2,500-seat baseball park that would be the home of a Northwoods Baseball team.

The ballpark would be part of a $12 million project that would be largely funded by the city.

According to a Journal Sentinel report, the City of Waukesha would pay up to $11.5 million to build the complex, with Big Top chipping in $500,000. A majority of the city funding would come through a tax incremental financial district. The TIF district would be an extension of one that began with the construction of the Shoppes at Fox River.

Under the proposal, Big Top Baseball would lease the city-owned park starting in 2020, and continue for a period of 15 years. Big Top would pay Waukesha $150,000 a year for 15 years with a one-percent rate increase each successive year.

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Love it or Hate it? Mindiola Park Stadium Plans

Earlier this year, Big Top drew heavy criticism from local activists after attempting to place the stadium at Frame Park.

"A baseball stadium can be built anywhere in the City of Waukesha on over 300 acres of public park land. However, this for-profit business wants it on the best real estate with the highest value in the city of Waukesha. Why not, they are renters," Save Frame Park stated online.

Rendering Via City Of Waukesha/Big Top Baseball