Elfstrom Stadium project going out to bid again

For the third time, bids will be solicited for Elfstrom Stadium's renovation project after previous cost estimates came in way over budget.

But with costs still expected to exceed $10 million, officials from the Kane County Forest Preserve District and Kane County Cougars organization still are trying to devise a creative way to fund construction, Cougars Vice President/General Manager Jeff Sedivy said Friday.

A likely solution is for the forest preserve district -- which owns the Geneva ballpark -- to provide more up-front cash and recoup that investment incrementally by increasing the Cougars' rent. Members of the commission's executive committee met behind closed doors Friday to discuss amending the forest preserve district's contract with the Cougars.

Commission President John Hoscheit said he expects the commission to vote on a new agreement within the next few weeks.

"Our plan is to go back out to bid as soon as we can," Hoscheit said.

The renovation will add a second-level seating area and other amenities to the ballpark. The forest preserve has committed $5 million to the project.

A Class A affiliate of the Oakland A's, the Cougars signed a new 20-year contract with the forest preserve district in 2006 stipulating their commitment to pay the district nearly $1 million a year to rent Elfstrom. The stadium renovation plans were negotiated as part of the deal.

Both sides hope to finish renovations on the 17-year-old ballpark in time for the start of the 2009 season. The project already has been delayed once.

"It was our intention to get it done a year ago," Sedivy said. "We're patiently awaiting a green light."