The Ogden City Council has voted to pay for upgrading Serge B. Simmons Field for a return of professional baseball in time for a June 1994 opener.
The expected holder of the franchise said even if the city fails to construct a new park in time for the 1995 season, that won't stop his plans."We have no desire to be in another city in the Pioneer League," Dave Baggott told the city council Tuesday night. "This is the place."
The council also voted unanimously to approve a memorandum of understanding with Baggott's investment group, Ogden Professional Baseball Inc.
Taxpayer subsidies for a stadium may be $20,000 annually, according to city estimates, but Mayor Glenn Mecham touted baseball's economic benefits and urged the council to proceed.
While council members raised a number of mostly financial concerns, Baggott countered with promises of affordable ticket prices and team involvement in the community.
Within three years of locating in the permanent stadium, the club will draw an average 5,000 fans per game, he predicted.
"We've done it before, we'll do it again," he said, referring to his record as general manager of the Salt Lake Trappers.
Ten dollars will get a family into the park, he said. However, according to the contracts approved Tuesday, the city will have no control over ticket prices.
The contracts are divided into a temporary facility agreement for Simmons Field and a long-term agreement for a permanent field that city officials say could cost between $2 million and $3 million. Both involve city subsidies, for construction and annual maintenance.