Oconomowoc Baseball Stadium Approved, Construction To Start

WAUKESHA COUNTY, WI — Oconomowoc is getting a new baseball stadium.

After temporarily putting off the vote on a new minor-league baseball stadium to get more time to learn about the project, the City of Oconomowoc Common Council unanimously approved plans on March 3 to build a 2,500-seat baseball stadium and 43,000 square foot indoor health and wellness training center.

Under the proposal that was led by Tom Kelenic, Tim Neubert and Sonny Bando of Blue Ribbon Baseball, the stadium will house a full turf field, which will allow for many different
sports teams to practice and play outdoors up to 10 months of the year.

Blue Ribbon Baseball officials say that construction of the ballpark and indoor facility is expected to begin in late spring of 2020, with a goal of Opening Day in the summer of 2021.

The stadium will be the future home of a summer collegiate baseball team in a yet-to-be-
announced league, that will include top prospects and athletes from all College divisions, organizers say.

Blue Ribbon Baseball officials said "these types of leagues allow players to compete with wood bats and prepare them for taking their game to the professional level."

The season typically runs from late May through early August.

Organizers say food and beverage at the stadium are still in the planning stages, but will include a wide variety of food options with fresh, local ingredients, beyond your typical stadium brats, hot
dogs and hamburgers.

According to a JSOnline report, Blue Ribbon Baseball officials fought to have alcohol sales continue through the eighth inning of games, one inning later than was originally suggested in the conditional-use permit. After two hour of discussion, council members agreed to Blue Ribbon's request.