BANGOR – Husson College officials on Monday asked the City Council to pitch in for half of a planned $1.8 million upgrade of the college’s baseball stadium in preparation for the expected arrival of a minor league baseball team next spring.

“We’re anticipating a benefit from bringing a pro baseball team to Bangor and … making Bangor a destination,” said Husson College president William Beardsley, who told the council the new ballpark could boost the local economy as well as help the college. “If it’s a destination, it’s a destination for students .. and for business.”

Councilors, meeting as the Strategic Issues Committee, will consider the request at a Nov. 4 meeting.

While further discussions are planned, the majority of the council on Monday already expressed their support for the proposal, which would require the city and Husson to each put $900,000 toward the project.

The proposal comes on the heels of recent news that Bangor businessman Charles M. “Chip” Hutchins had reached an agreement to buy the Northern League Adirondack Lumberjacks and bring it from Glens Falls, N.Y., to Bangor to begin play in May of 2003.

The prospect of professional baseball returning to the city was welcomed by many on the council.

“I think we need to find a way to support this request,” said City Councilor Dan Tremble. “Whatever we can do to find that money, I’ll start looking.”

But some on the council urged caution.

“Your timing could not be worse,” City Councilor Frank Farrington told the Husson representatives, citing the state’s current budget shortfall likely to filter down to the city. “We are shuddering in anticipation of what’s going to happen in Augusta.”

Under the proposal, Husson’s share of the cost, plus interest, would be repaid through lease payments over 10 years from the resident team at the college’s John Winkin Baseball Complex.

The $1.8 million in renovations would ready the complex for league play beginning in May 2003, Husson officials said.

The diamond has already seen about $1.6 million in improvements – funded by donations from Husson College, philanthropist Harold Alfond, and current Husson assistant coach and former University of Maine head baseball coach John Winkin – including the recent addition of artificial turf.

The proposed upgrade would involve the installation of lights, which have been approved by the Bangor Planning Board, bathrooms, concession facilities, and seating. Plans call for 3,000 seats, 2,000 of which will be bleacher seats.

The proposal would not require the city to fund any ongoing operating costs.

As part of an agreement, Husson would also consider expanding its health clinic in the low-income Old Capehart neighborhood and establishing a scholarship program for residents there.

City Councilor Gerry Palmer said the plan was worthy of further discussion.

“There are a lot of advantages to this and we have to look at it long and hard,” he said.