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Successful Billings stadium to see changes


By MATT HAGENGRUBER

The Missoulian (Montana)


November 29, 2008


BILLINGS - As Dehler Park's first year comes to a close, few of those involved in the project have any complaints about the baseball stadium in downtown Billings.

“I think it was a smashing success,” said Jon Dehler, the local businessman who donated $1 million and named the park after his father. “I don't remember hearing any negatives. Darn it, Billings needed it. It was time.”

It turns out the $13 million project was finished under budget, too. With all the expenses added up, the total cost to build the 3,656-seat stadium was $13,627,694. With voter-approved bonds and donations, the project took in $13,561,226. That indicates a deficit of $66,468, but that's because city officials are still waiting on a federal earmark worth $328,300.

When those federal funds are received, and Parks Director Mike Whitaker thinks they'll get the money soon, the stadium project will have an overall surplus of $261,832.

“But I have plans for it,” he said. Slightly worried that others may have differing plans, Whitaker hopes to use $100,000 of the surplus to install foul-ball netting along North 27th Street. He'd like to put the rest into the stadium's maintenance fund, which he hopes will someday be large enough to support the stadium on interest earnings alone. Adding $160,000 to the fund would more than double it to about $310,000.

“We feel we need to put netting along North 27th Street, even though it's not required,” Whitaker said. “It's the kids running out there to retrieve a souvenir (that is worrying).”

As of last week, park officials had sold 999 commemorative bricks, which helped push donations to a total of $480,372. They're still selling the bricks, which are engraved and placed in the ground around the stadium.

Whitaker said plans are also under way to redo the grass berm along the third base line. Originally designed as a tiered patio, the area was changed to a grass berm to save money. Now, Whitaker said, the Billings Mustangs want to convert it back to a food area that can host corporate events. He said the Mustangs will pay for the change, if approved by the stadium board.

“The berm is not functional for us. If you sit on the berm, you can't see much of the game at all,” said Mustangs General Manager Gary Roller. “We wanted a tiered patio from day one, but we could live without it for a year.”

Mustangs President Woody Hahn said the stadium compares favorably to any other stadium he knows. He said the playing turf was installed quickly and settled a little, but the field will be fixed.

“With a few minor adjustments, we hardly heard any complaints from fans,” he said.

Roller said drinking fountains should be installed before next season. He said Mustangs players were impressed with the new stadium, especially those who had played in the old Cobb Field.

The team would still like to make minor changes to the clubhouse, but the biggest need may be one that no one can accommodate soon. Many seats throughout the stadium lack protection from the summer sun.

“The No. 1 issue was always shade,” Roller said. “People could see that even before we were done building, and it continues to be an issue. I know the city is continuing to look at that as well.”

Whitaker said there were only two public events at the stadium this year that weren't connected to the baseball teams that play there: the Little League championships and a Shakespeare in the Parks performance in July. The city wants to attract more non-baseball events this year, like concerts and performances, and Whitaker said he wishes he had a staff person who could help bring in such events.

“Usually, you need to hire someone to promote and bring in acts,” he said. “We don't have the funds to hire a person.”

Roller said Mustangs season tickets for 2009 go on sale March 1.

Reporter Matt Hagengruber can be reached at mhagengruber@billingsgazette.com or at (406) 657-1261.



November 2008 News



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