Final decision delayed on baseball complex

March 13, 2011
SHARE

By Laurel Walker of the Journal Sentinel

March 13, 2011 0

Town of Waukesha — Developers of Five Diamonds, a proposed youth ball field complex along Les Paul Parkway near Milky Way Road, will have to wait another month for final approval.


After hours of discussion before a full house of about 80 people, the Plan Commission and Town Board Thursday approved an ordinance change that will allow 70-foot-tall lights at the recreation complex. But a conditional use permit was held up for fine tuning over how long the lights will shine on up to six ball diamonds.


Town Chairman Angie Van Scyoc said Friday that while the Plan Commission gave conceptual approval, it will vote on final language in April, when the Town Board is also expected to act.


One of the partners developing the project, Tom Kelenic, said, “The meat and potatoes of it was put to bed.” But he expressed frustration that officials want finite answers to common-sense operating judgments — like how many fields will be in use on any given day, and for how late. Draft conditions dictate a 10:30 p.m. closing time.


“All games are done by 9:30 (p.m.),” he said. But he needs time for cleanup under the lights, which also depends on how many teams have played. “I’m not in the business to provide We Energies higher payments each month,” he said.


Five Diamonds would be the home field for the Waukesha Blazers boys baseball and girls fast pitch softball leagues. It would have six lighted fields, four practice fields and a winter practice complex.

 

About Laurel Walker
Laurel Walker covered local, school and county government for 20 years -- the last half of that at the Milwaukee Journal and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel -- before she was named Waukesha County columnist in 1997. Today she writes about the people, places and events around metropolitan Milwaukee with a broad suburban focus. She was the youngest of nine children raised on a central Wisconsin farm before leaving the nest for journalism studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a masters degree at the University of Oregon. She has spent the last half of her life in Waukesha County, where she and her husband raised two sons. Though she has a fondness for life in Waukesha, she eagerly partakes in the culture of the big city to the east and the recreation of the forests to the west. With sons in the arts, she has a special fondness for symphonic music concerts and art museums. She finds peace in a good book at a Northwoods getaway weekend, adventure in family visits to the east and west coasts, and satisfaction in a column well-written that reaches readers.
0 Share Tweet Print
NewsWatch

Marcus considers building downtown tower that would include new cinema Updated: 11:47 a.m.

When Bobby Kennedy slipped into Appleton for Joe McCarthy's funeral 11:28 a.m.

Meijer says Waukesha store to open on Aug. 2 Updated: 11:06 a.m.

Summerfest 2016: Follow the action at Summerfest 11:00 a.m.

Summerfest 2016: Milwaukee band Direct Hit! opening for Blink-182 at Marcus Amphitheater 10:53 a.m.

Patti Guerrero: Guerrero battled health challenges by giving to family, co-workers 10:52 a.m.

Man found guilty of vandalizing Wales Elementary School, causing $70,000 of damge 10:45 a.m.

41 dead in Istanbul airport attack; Turkish govt blames IS 10:13 a.m.

Authorities ID body found in Lake Michigan in Kenosha 9:53 a.m.

Delafield residents call for restrictions on national political campaign spending 9:40 a.m.

Walker's Point strip club loses fight to delay 90-day closure 9:32 a.m.

Wife speaks out after fireworks incident involving war vet 9:22 a.m.

Suspect held as FBI transcribes tapes in Masonic center plot 9:00 a.m.

Village of Mukwonago's sex offender residency ordinance takes effect June 30 8:45 a.m.

On Tap Today: Summerfest, of course 8:25 a.m.

PolitiFact: Do doctors kill 250,000 people every year in botched surgeries? 5:00 a.m.

Spike Brewing provides custom equipment for homebrewers 5:00 a.m.

Jim Stingl: Electronic artist catches Summerfest scammer in the act 5:00 a.m.

Dodgers 6, Brewers 5: Dodgers' defense shuts down Brewers' late rally Yesterday
11:50 p.m.

Buddy Ryan, NFL coach and defensive mastermind, dies at 85 10:13 p.m.

Missing Waukesha County teen found unharmed 9:53 p.m.

Warmer temperatures expected in Milwaukee Wednesday 9:41 p.m.

Wisconsin’s appeal on abortion turned away by Supreme Court 9:23 p.m.

Jury in trial of man accused of killing Berit Beck says it is deadlocked 7:40 p.m.

Larger lawsuit promised after settlement in Capitol protest 7:25 p.m.

Walker's Point neighborhood draws another apartment development 6:59 p.m.

Annual survey shows the high cost of long-term care 6:31 p.m.

Police summer strategy includes more foot, bicycle patrols 6:30 p.m.

Private equity firm buys majority stake in music publisher Hal Leonard Corp. 6:27 p.m.

Verizon to sell $1.17 billion in bonds backed by mobile payments 6:02 p.m.

Ron Johnson campaign turns to ground game strategy 5:49 p.m.

Wisconsin eligible for $13 million to combat opioid crisis 5:46 p.m.

Brown Deer driver, 37, charged in crash near Strawberry Festival 5:36 p.m.

Study based at UW raises hopes for Zika vaccine, immunity 5:29 p.m.

Pat Summitt, most wins of any Division I basketball coach, dies at 64 5:10 p.m.

West Allis pair confess to kidnapping, killing pregnant woman 5:06 p.m.

Amazon's Dash buttons can thwart smart shopping 4:58 p.m.

Google offers new way for users to manage ads, personal data 4:51 p.m.

As 49th Summerfest kicks off, leaders looking to future 4:24 p.m.

Johnson Controls to provide systems for Sacramento arena 4:05 p.m.

Panel OKs $20 million financing plan for streetcar extension 3:47 p.m.

Feds urge consumers to act quickly on Ikea dresser recall 2:35 p.m.

Baseball: Waukesha West's Jarred Kelenic makes cut for Team USA U18 baseball team 2:35 p.m.

Start-ups invited to make pitches in Madison 2:02 p.m.

Q&A: Here's what you need to know if you own a VW diesel car 1:31 p.m.

Golf: Naga-Waukee Golf Course turns 50 years old 1:20 p.m.

Summerfest 2016: 8 Milwaukee bands with great opening slots at Summerfest 1:17 p.m.

For first time, FBI 'Ten Most Wanted' includes Milwaukeean 12:52 p.m.

Court reinstates sex crime conviction of ex-high school coach 12:32 p.m.

Marcoux recommended for fourth term as city development commissioner 12:25 p.m.

Advertisement

Photo Galleries

Advertisement