Dozer Park
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| Former names | O'Brien Field (2002–2008) Chiefs Stadium (2009–2013)[1] |
|---|---|
| Location | 730 Southwest Jefferson Street Peoria, IL 61605 |
| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Owner | Peoria Chiefs Community Baseball LLC |
| Operator | Peoria Chiefs Community Baseball LLC |
| Capacity | 7,500 |
| Field size | Left Field: 310 ft (94.49 m) Left Center: 375 ft (114.3 m) Center Field: 400 ft (121.92 m) Right Center: 375 ft (114.3 m) Right Field: 310 ft (94.49 m) |
| Surface | Sod (1–1¼ inches) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | August 16, 2001 |
| Opened | May 24, 2002[1] |
| Construction cost | $23 million ($30.3 million in 2024 dollars[2]) |
| Architect | HNTB |
| Services engineer | Clark Engineers MW Inc.[3] |
| General contractor | River City Construction LLC[3] |
| Main contractors | Prairie Construction Systems Inc.[3] |
| Tenants | |
| Peoria Chiefs (MWL) (2002–present) Bradley Braves (NCAA) (2002–present) |
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Dozer Park, originally O'Brien Field and formerly Chiefs Stadium, is a baseball field located in downtown Peoria, Illinois.[4] It is the home of the Peoria Chiefs, the Class A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals; the Chiefs previously played at Meinen Field. The college baseball team of Bradley University also uses the field. It opened on May 24, 2002.[1]
History
Official groundbreaking ceremonies for the $23 million multi-purpose stadium took place on August 16, 2001.[5] The stadium opened on May 24, 2002 as O'Brien Field,[1] with a game between the Chiefs and the Kane County Cougars.[6]
O'Brien Auto Team held the original naming rights to the facility.[6]
In 2011, the stadium hosted to the IHSA Class 1A and 2A baseball state finals. This was the first year the games were played at the facility.[7]
The Peoria Chiefs became financially troubled. In April 2013, the Chiefs, including the stadium, received $7.35 million in financing and debt forgiveness. The plan included forgiveness of $1.2 million in debt to the City of Peoria; $250,000 more from Bradley University than was being paid before for the Bradley Braves baseball team to use the stadium for 10 years; and $2 million in funding from Caterpillar Inc. for naming rights over 10 years; and $2.7 million in new investment of cash and equity by the Chiefs' ownership group of about 50.[8]
On May 10, 2013, Caterpillar and the Chiefs announced that the stadium would be renamed "Dozer Park", a reference to Caterpillar bulldozers.[4][1]
The field
Dozer Park's sod has an 8-inch (200 mm) deep root zone of 90% sand and 10% Dakota peat for nutrition. The high concentration of sand naturally relieves soil compaction.
Beneath the sand and peat mix are 6 inches (150 mm) of gravel. Running through the gravel are drainage tiles that run from home plate to center field. A huge sump pump beyond center field then drains into the city sewer system.
The makeup of the pitcher's mound and batter's boxes are almost 100% clay because it packs better and holds moisture well. The rest of the infield skin area is around 80% clay and 20% sand.
The field will hold up to 5 inches (130 mm) of rain an hour.
The field is mowed every day during homestands, trimmed to Lua error in Module:Convert at line 452: attempt to index field 'titles' (a nil value). high. It takes less than an hour to cut the outfield grass with a 72-inch (1.8 m) cut mower. A walk-behind mower is used for the infield.
The price tag for the field itself was around $450,000.[9]
Luxury suites
Dozer Park accommodates 20 luxury suites. Examples include:
- Peoria attorney Jay Janssen’s suite — "A large, ornate Oriental rug covers most of the green-carpeted suite, which includes six candelabra wall sconces, a chandelier in the center, cherry wood cabinetry and chair rail, decorative border print, a green marble-topped table, a rose-colored granite pedestal bar overlooking the field and burgundy leather stools and chairs. In the kitchenette, a full-sized refrigerator is accompanied by a full-size oven and a sink with a chrome-plated faucet."[10]
- Caterpillar, Inc. owns a double suite that is primarily used to entertain the customers and VIP guests the company hosts in the community.[10]
Food
Other than the five fixed concession stands there are mobile carts around the park. The Chiefs' concessionaire is Professional Sports Catering.[11]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 1634 to 1699: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. 1700-1799: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. 1800–present: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
External links
Template:Illinois NCAA Division I college baseball venue navbox
- Pages with broken file links
- Midwest League ballparks
- Bradley Braves baseball
- Sports venues completed in 2002
- Sports venues in Illinois
- Minor league baseball venues
- Buildings and structures in Peoria, Illinois
- Baseball venues in Illinois
- Sports in Peoria, Illinois
- Visitor attractions in Peoria, Illinois
- 2002 establishments in Illinois
