Official: Baseball Complex Could Bring Approximately $25 Million to Marion's Economy

The plan to build an 120 acre, 17 field baseball and softball complex just north of Marion has been approved by the Linn County Board of Supervisors.

Brent Oleson, Linn County supervisor, said the county land north of Marion will eventually be annexed by Marion, meaning it could have a "huge economic impact."

He said a previous feasibility study for the complex concluded that it could draw 120,000 people a year to the area to tournaments held in the area, which could boost the local economy by $25 million.

The supervisors were weary of selling the land, because the non profit that now leases it for $1, Prospect Meadows, can’t afford to buy it, and, with the lease, a board of directors including a Linn County supervisor can make sure the complex is built and used properly.

Beyond meaning good things for Marion’s economy, this could also be very good news for youth Baseball, said Gary Paulsen, president of the High School Baseball Coaches Association.

Paulsen is worried that baseball is going the way of the dodo. Since he started coaching, there were be baseball teams year-round, while now, high school athletics revolve around basketball and football.

He’s hopeful that the scale of this project could help attract kids to become more involved in baseball at the high school level, instead of ditching it after the little leagues.

"I think it will help," he said. "There are 34 teams that could be playing at the same time. The best thing that could happen is you get more kids involved."

But this all depends on whether Prospect Meadows can raise the funds, which means it is yet unclear when the project will be completed, said Oleson.

Right now, Prospect Meadows has to raise a lot of funds to get the idea off the ground, said Oleson. He estimates construction will start in 2013.