Without a Bonding Bill Washington Ballpark Renovation Plans at a Standstill

Rendering of Washington Ballpark renovation

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – Plans to renovate the Washington Ballpark in Detroit Lakes are on-hold unless a Special Session is called in the State Legislature and a Bonding Bill is passed.

The City had been hoping to secure $1.172 million in funding through the State bonding bill towards a $2.34 million project for renovations at Washington Ballpark that would include refurbishing the wood siding and spectator benches, addressing ADA accessibility, improving dugouts, adding a warning track and removing a storm sewer manhole that is in the outfield.

The State Legislature adjourned at the end of May with work unfinished, “One big thing we didn’t get done was a bonding bill,” said Rep. Paul Marquart. “That’s the reason we’ve got to go back…let’s get this bonding bill done, let’s get the tax bill done, let’s get this done.”

Though Marquart and other Democrats are urging for a Special Session, Republicans don’t appear interested and prospects for lawmakers to return to Saint Paul are fading as the summer campaign season gears up.

Even if a Bonding Bill were to be passed, it doesn’t guarantee funding for the Washington Ballpark project. The city had hoped to start construction on the project in August with a completion date of May, 2023.