For a while Heartland has been looking into building an Athletic Fields Complex.

Currently, their baseball, softball, and soccer teams practice on three different fields across Bloomington and Normal.

The athletic complex will allow the students to practice next door.
The problem...well the 3.5 million dollars the school set aside for the facility will actually cost them about five million.

"There's disappointment when you have a certain amount budgeted, your project comes in much higher than that, and you've got to figure out what do we do now", said Jon Astroth, Heartland Community College President.

But Heartland has a back-up plan. It's a possibility that Normal could get a minor league baseball team sooner than later. Independent contractors are ready to bid on the 10 to 12 million dollars it will cost to build a stadium.

If Heartland allows them to break ground on campus, the students could use the facility. The school would contribute their 3-point-five million, and the contractor would cover the rest of the cost.

"They have no place to pass the cost to. It's a private entity. And there will be opportunity for the town to contribute," said Alan Sender, Baseball Committee Chairman.

These contributions would include lighting, parking and infrastructure.
City Manager Mark Peterson says the city could use the new business...it would raise the quality of life in the Normal area.

"Looking at other communities that have brought these types of baseball programs in, it's great entertainment. It's affordable family entertainment".

The board says they will make a decision by May 20th. They hope to have either the stadium or their Athletic Fields Complex functional by the next season.