CdA talks envision ballfield, event hall

Developer John Stone has begun talking to the city of Coeur d’Alene about the possibility of locating a multipurpose events center – for everything from minor league baseball to big-ticket concerts – in his Riverstone West development.

Stone is working with the city to hash out what type of facility could go in his mixed-use development along the Spokane River in the former Central Pre-Mix site. In the next two months, the Coeur d’Alene City Council will appoint a committee to study the idea.

“There’s a big excitement about the possibilities John and Riverstone are offering to partner in,” said Coeur d’Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem. “It’s needed and it can provide a lot of opportunities we just don’t have now.”

For years, Coeur d’Alene officials have dreamed of having a place for large events, and many locals have lobbied for a baseball field to meet minor league standards. At one time, officials were considering the 12 acres south of Ramsey Park. But now the city hopes to deed that land to The Salvation Army for a $30 million community center.

The Riverstone property is an even better location, Parks Director Doug Eastwood said, because the events center would be next door to a new 10-acre park that is part of the mixture of shops, restaurants, offices and homes.

The City Council this week unanimously approved plans for the park, which includes a 6-acre pond, amphitheater and trailhead for the Centennial Trail. Riverstone West donated the $5.2 million park property.

“It would tie in beautifully,” Eastwood said. “There’s a possibility for some really good things.”

The center also would have easy access from nearby Interstate 90 and ample parking.

Stone said it would be probably five years before work could even begin on an events center because Central Pre Mix is still using a portion of the property as a gravel pit. And this is just the beginning of conceptual planning. A myriad of decisions about what shape the center would take and how to finance it are still ahead. Coeur d’Alene isn’t currently soliciting a minor league team, but Eastwood said the city wants a field capable of accommodating such a team if one ever becomes available.

That ball field also could be used by American Legion teams, high schools and North Idaho College, if it ever reinstates its baseball program. And it could become a replacement for the McEuen field baseball diamond downtown, he said.

In 2002, the council adopted a new master plan for sweeping changes to McEuen that eliminates the baseball field. The decision angered many American Legion members who wanted to keep baseball at the park nestled between City Hall and Tubbs Hill with a lakefront view. The city promised to keep the baseball field until a replacement is found.

Eastwood said the Riverstone field would definitely be better.

Stone said there are many possibilities for a multiuse center, and that he would like to see some kind of arena for state basketball or volleyball championships, in addition to conventions and entertainment.

“I really believe Kootenai County is ready for a gathering area for the 100,000 people who are now in the county,” Stone said. “Doug is thinking of a baseball field, but I’m sure there are 25 other ideas that might make some sense too. There’s plenty of time to visualize and dream. I’m open for suggestions.”

Stone, a Gonzaga University trustee, was in charge of fund-raising for the school’s new $26 million memorial arena that seats about 6,000 people. He envisions something similar for Coeur d’Alene, with seating for 4,000 to 6,000 people.

Yet, he said, consultants would have to figure out the proper size for this area and what would be sustainable.

Bloem said the diversity of uses will be the key to the center’s success.

“I think that whole corridor is just ripe for these kinds of things,” she said.