Politics & Government

Silver Cross Field Needs Costly Repairs: Joliet Official

In addition to hearing about the field's issues, city council members voted to formalize the Miracle League's use of the stadium.

Should the city continue investing money into Silver Cross Field, home of Joliet's Slammers baseball team?

At least one city councilman said he didn't think so after hearing about safety issues and repairs needed at the ballfield during Tuesday's council meeting.

City Manager Jim Hock outlined areas of concern at the field such as safety issues with the freezer/beer cooler floors. Another issue was obsolete equipment, including kitchen hot water heaters and HVAC systems.

Hock said the backstop netting is also in need of replacement and is currently being held together with zip ties. He estimated it would cost $12,000 to replace the netting.

A more expensive issue, which Hock called a "much more severe problem," is rusted galvanized electrical leaking in the concrete of the stadium itself. 

"You can see the leaking on the concrete pier," Hock said, adding that the "totally rusted" electrical conduit needs to be replaced. He said the city would have to hire a structural engineer for the project.

Other concerns included the need to winterize offices at the stadium during the offseason. The outfield grass also needs to be replaced, a project that Hock estimated could cost $80,000, and a new scoreboard — a $300,000 expense — is needed.

Hock said the city needs to begin budgeting for ongoing maintenance at the field. 

This year, the city will get $50,000 in rent from the Slammers, which will increase to $75,000 in the following two years, Hock said. The city also receives a portion of ticket sales if they exceed a set dollar amount. 

District 1 Councilman Larry Hug asked whether the Slammers could share the costs of repair work. According to Hock, while the tenant is responsible for regular maintenance, larger projects are the city's responsibility.

At-large councilman Jim McFarland said he doesn't like the fact that the city owns assets like the stadium and the building that houses the Rich & Creamy ice cream stand on Broadway Street. Last year, the ice cream shop narrowly avoided eviction after falling behind — to the tune of nearly $18,000 — in rent payments. The city bought the ice cream shop building in 2001.

McFarland said the city's finance department needs to take a look at whether revenues from the ballpark outweigh the costs.

"We can no longer afford, in my opinion, to keep throwing money in there," McFarland said, asking whether the city could explore selling the ballpark to either the Slammers or a private developer.

Hock, who previously worked as community development director in Carpentersville and was the assistant city manager in Sterling Heights, Michigan, said in his experience, recreational facilities like ballparks rarely turn a profit.

"It's a city service, just like plowing the streets," Hock said. "You have to decide as a policy whether it's a cultural asset you want to provide to the community."

As for selling Silver Cross Field, "it's something we can certainly explore," Hock said.

The field was built in 2001 and originally served as home to the Joliet JackHammers, which was part of the Northern League independent minor professional baseball league. The league folded in 2010, and the JackHammers were replaced by the Slammers, part of the Frontier League, in 2011.

Miracle League agreement gets the OK

Just before hearing about the work needed at the ballpark, city council members voted to allow the Miracle League of Joliet to continue to use the Miracle Field area of Silver Cross Field.

The 15-year agreement , which formalizes the organization's use of the field, allows the league to use the facility for 15 years for a nominal $1 per year fee.

The Miracle League — which works to allow children with disabilities to play baseball using rubberized, accessible fields — will be responsible for all costs related to its operation and for the maintenance and repair of the Miracle League field and stadium, liability insurance and general housekeeping and cleanup. The league will also be allowed to use the outfield concession stand restroom facility.

The Joliet Slammers reviewed and approved the agreement before it went before the city council, according to a memo from Hock. The Slammers have also indicated that they will continue to support and cooperate with the Miracle League during their events.

District 2 Councilman Bob O'Dekirk abstained from the vote due to his relationship with the Miracle League, he said, but the remaining trustees approved the agreement unanimously.

"If you haven't been out there to see those kids play on a Saturday afternoon, it is amazing and it will warm your heart," At-large Councilwoman Jan Hallums Quillman said.

"It is a sight to behold," Mayor Tom Giarrante said.


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