Photo by Marney Simon | Bugle Staff The Route 66 Stadium houses the Joliet Slammers, but additional events are being planned for the space. The city is planning to build a pavilion in left field.
By Marney Simon | Bugle Staff
The Joliet Slammers opened the season last week with a loss. But work at the newly renamed Route 66 Stadium downtown is shaping up to be a win for the city of Joliet.
On May 14, Public Assets Manager Mike Eulitz gave an update to the stadium committee on plans to build a pavilion in left field at the stadium, filling the space currently occupied by a concrete slab that holds picnic tables. The structure would be similar to pavilions seen at local parks, and members from the park district would help in the process.
“We are working in conjunction with the park district, and the park district obviously puts these up all the time,” Eulitz said. “We have entered into a partnership with them.”
The city will build the pavilion themselves, saving on labor costs. The structure is expected to be about 30 feet by 60 feet.
The city has received two quotes and is seeking a third.
The pavilion would provide some flexibility for the park, allowing larger events even outside of baseball season.
“We would be using this for a lot of pre-game, post-game parties, the IHSA picnic,” Eulitz said. “It can be used well into October or November… We’re looking into a permenant structure, the tent that was out there before had blown away and was damaged.”
The stadium houses the Joliet Slammers and the University of St. Francis baseball team, but the city has been working to expand uses, hosting IHSA events, soccer and lacrosse tournaments, and other special events.
Eulitz said the funds are available to get the pavilion built this year.
“We saved about $40,000 in our carpeting this year. For this year’s budget, we do have funding available for this,” Eulitz said. “I’m sure we could knock it out before the year is over.”
Meanwhile, rehab at the stadium is continuing, even as the Slammers season kicks off. Visitors have seen some marked changes this year, most notably, the new $1.6 million artificial field turf.
“The project is coming along very well, there have actually been numerous games already,” said Director of Public Works Jim Trizna. “The field, itself, was done about three weeks ago. The wall pads were going up last week, they had some punch list items.”
Trizna said there are still some landscape items and exterior fencing to be completed, but the majority of the work looks good.
“Generally, we’re about done with the project,” he noted.
The concept plan for the overhaul of the facility was unveiled last fall.