Northwestern Medicine Field
Northwestern Medicine Field (originally Kane County Events Park and formerly Philip B. Elfstrom Stadium and Fifth Third Bank Ballpark) is a baseball field located in Geneva, Illinois. The stadium was built in 1991 and holds 10,923 people. It is the home ballpark of Minor League Baseball's Kane County Cougars.
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Former names | Kane County Events Park (1991–1993) Philip B. Elfstrom Stadium (1993–2011) Fifth Third Bank Ballpark (2012–2016) |
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Location | 34W002 Cherry Lane Geneva, Illinois 60134 |
Coordinates | 41°52′50.34″N 88°16′54.32″W |
Owner | Kane County Forest Preserve |
Operator | Kane County Cougars Baseball Club |
Capacity | 3,600 (1991) 4,800 (1992–1996) 5,600 (1997–1999) 7,400 (2000–2014) 10,923 (2015–present)[1] |
Field size | Left Field: 335 feet Center Field: 400 feet Right Field: 335 feet |
Surface | Grass |
Construction | |
Broke ground | May 1990 |
Opened | April 13, 1991 |
Construction cost | $5 million ($9.39 million in 2019 dollars[2]) $14.5 million (renovation) |
Architect | Populous |
Structural engineer | Harper & Kerr, P.A.[3] |
Services engineer | Bredson & Associates, Inc.[4] |
General contractor | Markur Contractors Inc.[5] |
Tenants | |
Kane County Cougars (MWL) (1991–present) |
History
![](../I/m/Elfstrom_stadium.jpg)
Northwestern Medicine Field was originally named after Philip B. Elfstrom, the former Kane County Forest Preserve President, and the person most responsible for bringing minor league baseball to Kane County.[6]
The stadium serves as the home of the Kane County Cougars, an Arizona Diamondbacks affiliated Class A minor league baseball team. The stadium was constructed in 1991, and in 2001 the Cougars set a league attendance record of 523,222.[7] On May 3, 2012 or "5/3 day", the stadium was officially renamed Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.[8]
On June 18, 2012, it was the home for the 2012 Midwest League All-Star Game. It was the fourth All-Star held in the stadium; the first was in 2000.[9]
The ballpark was renamed Northwestern Medicine Field on November 15, 2016, in a five-year naming rights deal with Northwestern Medicine.[10]
Renovations
In 2008, the stadium underwent a $10.5 million renovation project that added a second level seating area, covered concourse, and skybox suites among other amenities. It finished in time for the start of the 2009 baseball season.[11]
In 2014, the Cougars announced that additional capital improvements would be made in time for the 2015 baseball season, including a climate-controlled cage that will also have a weight room and a video-room, allowing access for Cougars and field staff to develop and evaluate players. Also under construction is a high-definition videoboard, which will show promotions, highlights, and instant replays, as well as construction of a premium seating area on the lower-seating bowl area of the ballpark. A pavilion will also be erected to be used predominately for music during game-day, as well as events such as the Cougars' Ballpark Concert Series and non-game-day events, as well. These forthcoming renovations are said to further "modernize" Fifth Third Bank Ballpark and to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the stadium as well.[12]
References
- "2015 Midwest League Media Guide". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2015. p. 36. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
- Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- "Request for Proposals Homestead Baseball Stadium Complex". City of Homestead. May 5, 1989. p. 15. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
- "Pro Baseball Sports Facilities". Bredson & Associates, Inc. Archived from the original on April 10, 2002. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- Sjostrom, Joseph (October 11, 1989). "Kane OKs A Baseball Stadium". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
- Sjostrom, Joseph (April 8, 1990). "Elfstrom`s Way Is Usually Kane`s". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- McCarthy, Jack (July 22, 2013). "Cougars Hit Attendance Milestone". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- "Kane County Cougars Ballpark Renamed Fifth Third Bank Ballpark". Chicago Tribune. May 3, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
- Brown, Patrick (June 19, 2012). "Dickson Puts on a Show in All-Star Rout". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- Boatman, Jacquie (November 15, 2016). "Cougars and Northwestern Medicine Reach Naming Rights Agreement". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- Kennedy, James (December 5, 2008). "Elfstrom Stadium to Offer Luxury Suites Next Season". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- Touney, Shawn (September 2, 2014). "Cougars Announce 2015 Capital Improvement Projects". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved September 3, 2014.