Duck's stadium plans??

[Gmcnabb]

OZARK, Mo. -- Five years after the Ozark Mountain Ducks folded, the director of Price Cutter Park is pitching a new vision.

Director Brad Eldridge wants to turn the stadium into a multi-purpose event center that could be used year-round. But first he has to figure out if it's even feasible.

Right now, Price Cutter Park hosts 150 events a year, most of them being youth and high school baseball games. But Eldridge thinks he could double the amount of events, just by putting a roof over the venue.

"This would be a way to really revive it and keep it going on a full-time basis," Eldridge said.

He's launching a six month feasibility study to see whether he can turn the ballpark into an all-encompassing event center.

"You could do concerts, you could do RV shows, you could do motor cross races, you could do seminars, indoor concerts, graduations," Eldridge said.

The cost is staggering: Eldridge estimates the price tag could be between $8 and $12 million dollars. It would all be funded by private donations, and if successful -- it would likely have a ripple effect on Christian County's economy.

Watching her nephew play ball from the stands, Ruth Beengs can see why topping off the stadium with a roof would make economic sense.

"If you only use it in the summer, you're not going to have proceeds for upkeep," she said.

And while the kids love playing on such a big stage, youth leagues don't pack thousands into the seats like the Ducks did during their peak popularity.

Eldridge has his study in place and a plan to revive the 10-year-old park. Now he needs to determine if his wishes are just a field of dreams.

"We know it's a little bit of a dream, but sometimes dreams come true," Eldridge said.

Eldridge should have an answer by year's end.

[Ironhead]

I also have a dream. In my dream the parking lot is redone in concrete and quadrupled in size to the north as part of the investment.




Oh and truck driving schools would no longer be allowed to tear it up.