Spur sought for Ox stadium

BANGOR – Bangor city councilors Mike Aube and Joseph Baldacci are hoping to spur action on the proposed multipurpose stadium which would become the new home of the Bangor Blue Ox.

The pair will jointly introduce a resolve to direct the council’s community and economic development committee, which is scheduled to meet Wednesday at 5 p.m., to investigate the feasibility of a stadium and provide a report and recommendation to the full council in a month.

“We’re trying to move forward on this as quickly as possible,” said Baldacci. “The bottom line is Mike and I feel we need to take the next step and see if a plan can be put together. I think we owe it to people, pro or con, to resolve this thing as soon as possible. We’ve been considering this for a year now.”

The Blue Ox are being courted by at least four New England cities – Nashua and Manchester, N.H.; New Bedford, Mass.; and Newport, R.I. – and must notify the independent Northeast League by Oct. 1 where the team will play next season.

Aube explained that he would like the committee to form a nine-member stadium sub-committee.

“Joe and I would probably be on it with maybe four city staff members, a member of the Blue Ox organization, and two others from the public. We want people on it who aren’t set on the issue one way or the other,” said Aube.

Both councilors, who make up the community and economic development committee along with chairman Jim Tyler, said the question of how the stadium would be financed will determine whether it is approved.

“We need to look at a mix of sources,” said Baldacci. “The city alone cannot pay the $4 million. We need to look at non-city sources: county, federal, private… whatever.”

Baldacci and Aube are intrigued by the possible benefits of a multipurpose stadium.

“Looking at the study, if this is done, it’s going to be an economic boost to the area here. I think the financial benefit could be as much as $2 million.”

Aube said he thinks the stadium’s role can be expanded beyond baseball and concerts: from hosting amateur soccer tournaments to plays and presentations by various theatre companies.

“I don’t think anyone on the council is going to vote for a financial burden, but we are going to vote for something that’s going to be a boon for the area and make economic sense,” said Baldacci.

Blue Ox team president Dean Gyorgy could not be reached for comment Thursday night.