Hometown Ballfield
Status
Update October 2022: The project was approved at the July 11, 2022 City Council meeting. The city has approved and processed purchase orders to Upper Midwest Athletic Construction (UMAC) and SAAFE. UMAC will prepare all site work except bleachers and press box. SAAFE will construct the bleachers and the press box. Construction began September 15th, 2022.
Construction started the first week of October. Concrete for batting cages, dugouts and bleachers have been poured. Fence posts have been installed. Dugouts were installed in late March. Currently waiting for grandstand and pressbox to be delivered and installed. Construction is substantially complete with a few punch list items remaining. The baseball field held its first game on June 8th, 2023. A grand re-opening celebration will be scheduled most likely in September 2023.
Update July 20, 2022: The Hometown Ballfield project is moving forward. A new scoreboard has been installed. Staff worked with Bolton-Menk (formerly AJA Design) to develop plans and specs for the replacement of the backstop, installation of the grandstand, renovation of the dugouts and site improvements for the prefabricated restroom.
Update May 6, 2022: The project was advertised for bid on March 10, 2022 with bids opened at 2:30pm on March 31, 2022. Four bids were received, and the lowest bid was more that $300K over the construction budget. Staff is evaluating options to explore alternative to the construction of dugouts, and the grandstand to get the project closer to budget. It is expected most of the work will not take place until after August 15 to allow for minimal disruption during baseball season.
Update September 14. 2021: The Hometown Ballfield project is moving forward. A new scoreboard has been ordered. Staff is working with AJA Design to develop plans and specs for the replacement of the backstop, installation of the grandstand, renovation of the dugouts and site improvements for the prefabricated restroom.
Update April 8, 2021: City Staff have become aware of a plan for Champlin Park High School to improve the existing baseball field with very similar amenities as proposed at the Hometown Ballfield. Staff is working with BPAA on evaluation of the future improvements to the Noble Baseball Field. Staff participated in the February 1, 2021 work session to discuss the options with City Council. The City Council would like to see estimated costs for revised plan. Staff also plan to present a visual of what the revised plan would look like at the April 5, 2021 City Council work session.
Update November 23, 2020: After discussions with BPAA, the plan will likely include smaller scale improvements to Noble Baseball Field than originally planned, and enhancements to the Northwoods complex as well as Brookdale baseball field.
Update October 28, 2020: City Staff have become aware of a plan for Champlin Park High School to improve the existing baseball field with very similar amenities as proposed at the Hometown Ballfield. Staff is working with BPAA on evaluation of the future improvements to the Nobel Baseball Field and whether it would serve more baseball players if the investment were redirected to other existing baseball complexes.
Update September 22, 2020: At the June 8 City Council meeting, the City Council gave staff direction to begin working on the Hometown Ballfield project as a priority. Staff is working to engage Anderson-Johnson Associates (AJA) to take the next steps in the development of construction documents. AJA did the concept plan work in 2017. Staff has been working with BPAA to finalize the vision for the investment in the Hometown Ballfield and how to support other baseball fields in Brooklyn Park..
Start date
Fall 2020
End date
Fall 2021
Overview
Enhancement to the Noble Sports Park baseball field will include rebuilding of the mound and home plate area, adding grandstands, concessions and restrooms. Additional improvements include dugouts, bullpens and batting cages.
Funding source
The master planning and design development are being funded through the $26 million Park Bond Referendum that voters approved in November 2018.
