A decade ago, Go the Distance Baseball formed to preserve the Iowa farm site where the 1989 movie Field of Dreams was filmed. The farmhouse can be rented or toured, and the venue includes a souvenir shop, ballpark concessions, and a field where visitors can have a catch. It’s expected to attract about 300,000 visitors this year.
Recently, the venue’s new owners unveiled a plan to build a youth baseball and softball destination for players, fans, and tourists, while preserving the cornfield setting and working farm. With $80 million in private investment, the master plan will almost double the site’s size—adding almost 100 acres to the original 190-acre footprint of the former Lansing family farm and movie site. The project will include nine new ballfields, dormitories for teams, and a boutique hotel, all slated to be completed in phases by the end of 2023.
“While the substantial private investment will expand and enhance our facilities, we are deeply committed to preserving the romantic experience of the Field of Dreams, including the views, the baseball diamond, the farmhouse, and the cornfields. Those images will never change,” COO Dan Evans, a longtime executive for five MLB franchises, said in a statement.
Additional phases through 2025 will include a 100,000-square-foot fieldhouse, an outdoor concert amphitheater, an RV park, a large park inclusive for children and adults with disabilities, and jogging trails through the cornfields. When fully completed, the development will create about 170 new full-time-equivalent jobs. Area residents can have member access to the indoor fieldhouse and a training facility for year-round recreation.
“Preserving and enhancing one of Iowa’s top tourism destinations makes this project a win-win for the local and state economies,” Keith Rahe, president and CEO of Travel Dubuque, said in a statement.
Owner: Go the Distance Baseball, LLC
Owner’s representative: Leopardo Companies
Design architect and architect of record: RDG Planning & Design
MEP engineer: KCL Engineers
Structural engineer: Origin Design
Related Stories
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Apr 3, 2018
Westminster College’s new athletic stadium includes a turf field and seating for 2,000
The project is the largest capital improvement project on the campus in over a decade.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Mar 30, 2018
Final Four excitement? Here are two collegiate sports facilities to check out before your weekend of hoops
CannonDesign recently shared new images of two collegiate sports projects with interesting ties to college basketball past, present and future.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Mar 27, 2018
The second-oldest basketball arena in NCAA Division I receives $15.5 million update
Bruner/Cott & Associates led the revitalization project.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Feb 23, 2018
A gym’s exercise equipment helps power an arts and sciences center in Rochester, N.Y.
The equipment’s supplier is eyeing the U.S. for aggressive growth.
Reconstruction & Renovation | Feb 1, 2018
USC selects Hathaway Dinwiddie and AECOM to mange L.A. Memorial Coliseum renovations
The iconic stadium opened in 1923.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jan 25, 2018
Virginia Beach: A surf town with a wave problem no more
A world-class surf park will highlight Virginia Beach’s new live-work-play development.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 18, 2017
Canada’s newest funicular makes Edmonton’s largest green space more accessible
The incline elevator is located in downtown Edmonton and was publicly funded.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 15, 2017
Jefferson City’s new 80,000-sf recreation and wellness center
The facility will be co-managed by Lincoln University and the City of Jefferson – Parks, Recreation, and Forestry.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 6, 2017
An upscale RV camp breaks ground in Coos Bay, Ore.
The complex will include 180 campsites and a year-round clubhouse.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 6, 2017
BIG-designed 1.3 million-sf sports and entertainment district includes Austin’s first pro-sports stadium
BIG is working in partnership with STG Design and Austin Sports & Entertainment on the project.
