The history of Classic Park in Eastlake

By The News-Herald

  • The pitch

    Tom Dickson, owner of Lansing, Mich., minor-league team, appoaches Lake County Visitors Bureau Director Bob Ulas with idea of Lake County having a franchise in new independent league. Ulas refers Dickson to Eastlake Mayor Dan DiLiberto.

  • DiLiberto hires Chema

    Eastlake Mayor Dan DiLiberto hires Tom Chema as consultant for stadium project. Chema headed Gateway Development Corp. during construction of what's now Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena. City of Eastlake solicits bids from architects for design of stadium complex.

  • Eastlake makes first land purchase for stadium

    City of Eastlake undertakes development of proposed stadium site by buying five parcels of land at Vine Street and Route 91 for $1 million.

  • City accepts grant for economic development of stadium site

    By a 6-1 vote, Eastlake City Council accepts $350,000 grand from Ohio Arts & Sports Commission for economic development of stadium site.

  • Council authorizes borrowing $4 million

    By a 6-1 vote, Eastlake City Council authorizes borrowing of $4 million to buy 17 acres of land at Route 91 and Vine Street for further stadium development.

  • Council approves borrowing $4 million for land buys

    By a 6-1 vote, Eastlake City Council authorizes the borrowing of $4 million to buy 17 acres of land at Route 91 and Vine Street for further stadium development.

  • City hires architect

    City of Eastlake hires DLR Group of Tampa, Fla., as stadium architect.

  • City of Eastlake issues $22 million in notes and bonds for stadium

    The City of Eastlake issued $22 million in bonds and notes to pay for construction of the stadium to be built at the corner of Vine Street and State Route 91.

  • Council approves deal to bring team to Eastlake

    Eastlake City Council approves by a 6-1 vote an agreement with Gates Mills resident Kip Horsburgh to bring his minor-league team, the Class A Quad City River Bandits of Davenport, Iowa, to Eastlake to play. The deal was not a lease, but a "memorandum of understanding."

  • Team pulls out deal to move to Eastlake

    Gates Mills' Kip Horsburgh pulls out of his deal to move a baseball team from Iowa to Eastlake to play in the new stadium. Eastlake city officials say this in a news release: "Horsburgh's concerns included the failure to obtain approvals to transfer the franchise as a result of the project delays; including those caused by an Eastlake councilman's ongoing charter amendment litigation and the economic fallout from the tragic national events of Sept. 11."

  • State high court denies "Right to Vote" petition

    Ohio Supreme Court, by a 6-1 vote, rules that proposed charter amendment on construction of baseball stadium does not have to be put on November 2011 ballot in Eastlake. Court finds that petitions circulated by "Right to Vote" committee didn't have correct text.

  • DiLiberto re-elected, clearing way for stadium

    Dan DiLiberto, running for re-election as Eastlake's mayor, records a landslide victory over longtime city councilman and stadium opponent Steve Komarjanski.

  • Carfagnas agree to move their team to Eastlake

    Northeast Ohioans Rita Murphy Carfagna and Ray Murphy, owners of the Columbus (Ga.) RedStixx, agree to move the Indians' Class A farm team to Eastlake. Team will play the 2002 season in Georgia, then occupy new stadium in 2003. Carfagna and Murphy agree to a 25-year, $10 million lease with the City of Eastlake.

  • City Council approves lease with Cascia, LLC

    Eastlake City Council unanimously approved a 25-year lease with Cascia, LLC, a holding company for the Columbus (Ga.) RedStixx. The team would move to Eastlake and play under the name of Lake County Captains beginning in 2003.

  • Groundbreaking for stadium

    A groundbreaking ceremony is held at the southeast corner of Route 91 and Vine Street. Clearing of land begins shortly thereafter.

  • Site excavation begins

    Site excavation begins, as does digging of storm sewers, sanitary sewers and underground utility lines.

  • More notes issued, raising stadium debt

    City issues $2.5 million in notes, bringing the total to $24.5 million.

  • Cement pouring begins

    Initial digging and cement pours in stadium foundation, field walls and dugouts. Installation of underground plumbing and electric lines begins.

  • Cement completed

    Completion of cement pours in stadium foundation, field walls and dugouts. Masonry work begins on external stadium walls.

  • First cement in seating bowl

    First pours of cement occur in main seating bowl floor, accompanied by pours of foundation slabs for batting cage building and clubhouse.

  • Steel work begins

    The erection of structural steel begins. Pours finished in main seating bowl.

  • Occupant of Eastlake Ballpark gets its name

    At a news conference at the still-under-construction Eastlake baseball stadium, the owners of the new Class A Indians baseball team announce that the team playing its games starting in April 2003 will be known as the Lake County Captains. The name was selected through a contest in The News-Herald.

  • Playing surfaces installed

    Playing surfaces of Kentucky Bluegrass, clay infield and crushed red brick warning track are installed. It's the first part of the stadium project to be finished. Masonry and structural steel work continues. Roofing of grandstand begins. Pours of floors on upper suite level begins. Exterior walls of batting cage building and clubhouse are raised.

  • Last piece of steel installed

    The last piece of structural steel is installed on main entry arch in "topping off" ceremony. Pours of lower concourse and upper suite level floors continue. The installation of plumbing and electric lines begins on the upper level.

  • Topping-off ceremony for stadium

    Topping-off ceremony held at Eastlake's baseball stadium, as the final piece of steel is put in place. The piece is now part of the massive entryway at the front gate of Classic Park.

  • Interior work begins

    Interior work begins on the upper level with affixing of steel wall studs. Cement is poured in concourse and picnic areas. Application of external stucco finish begins on upper level.

  • Classic Auto Group buys rights to outside park

    Classic Auto Group of Mentor agrees to $200,000, 10-year deal for naming rights to an outdoor, multi-use park adjacent to the stadium. Park will be called Classic Plaza.

  • Bonds, notes issued for $22 million

    A.G. Edwards and Sons Inc. takes original three sets of notes the city issued in 2000 and issues $9 million in notes and $13 million in bonds for construction of the stadium. City Finance Director Jack Masterson estimates interest payments at $700,000 per year.

  • Captains conduct first "Hot Stove" dinner

    The Lake County Captains conduct their first "hot stove" dinner, and introduce manager Luis Rivera to fans for the first time. The event will be repeated each year before the team heads to spring training.

  • Suites enclosed

    All suites are enclosed on the upper level. Application of external stucco finish is completed. Work continues on plumbing, electric, interior finishes, seats, hand rails, concession areas, batting cage building and clubhouse.

  • Outbuildings completed

    Batting cage building, clubhouse and outfield bleachers completed. Installation of seats, hand rails, plumbing and electric complete except for detailing. Final pourings of parking lot curbs. Erection of main scoreboard begins. Padding attached to outfield wall.

  • Tickets go on sale for 2003 home opener at Eastlake Ballpark

    Tickets for Lake County Captains games go on sale to the public for the first time. Fans line up and wait in the cold to purchase tickets to the first professional baseball games played in Lake County. Keith Wright and Dixie Lee Duncan of Eastlake bought the first tickets sold for the team's home games.

  • Parking lot finished

    City-owned parking lot and pedestrian bridge over Route 91 completed.

  • Lake County Captains play first game

    The Lake County Captains open their inaugural season in the South Atlantic Leauge with a 4-3 road victory over the Kannapolis (N.C.) Intimidators.

  • Pedestrian walkway bridge installed near stadium

    Workers begin construction of the pedestrain bridge that hovers over State Route 91 in front of Classic Park. It took four days to install the bridge. Traffic on the busy roadway was stopped during the project to ensure it would be completed before the home opener on April 10, 2003.

  • First game in Eastlake Ballpark

    Lake County Captains play their first game, a 5-3 victory over the Charleston (W.Va.) Alley Cats. 7,124 fans were on hand for the game.

  • Captains win first-half title in SAL's Northern Division

    The Lake County Captains clinch the first half title in the South Atlantic League's Northern Division, clinching a playoff berth in their inaugural season.

  • Captains win second-half title in SAL's Northern Division

    Captains win the second-half title in the South Atlantic League's Northern Division. The Captains beat the Lexington (Ky.) Legends in the best-of-three SAL Northern Division final.

  • Captains lose in SAL championship series

    Lake County Captains lose to Rome (Ga.) Braves, three games to one, in best-of-five South Atlantic League Championship Series.

  • Eastlake officials blame tax woes, not stadium for financial problems

    Eastlake finance director Jack Masterson cites city businesses' failure to pay income taxes as biggest part of reason city is facing financial problems. He said the stadium financing, while still not in place after the first season has been played, is not to blame and it has a separate budget.

  • Finance director cites $3.2 million deficit

    Eastlake Finance Director Jack Masterson blames city's $3.2 million deficit on loss of income tax revenues. He said the city lost $2.3 million in 2002 and 2003.

  • DiLiberto expects federal funds soon

    Eastlake Mayor Dan DiLiberto tells editors at The News-Herald that he expects to receive in the next two to three months the $4 million in Federal Transportation Equality Act funds he was promised by U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette.

  • Voters reject levy

    Eastlake residents rejected a five-year, 2.98-mill levy levy, and city Councilman Bryan Lajeunesse blamed the failure on city residents' lack of trust for city officials in light of the city's revelation that it had a $3.2 million deficit.

  • Highway funds approved, but delayed

    The federal highway bill is approved by the U.S. House, but is sent back to a House & Senate committee because "waste watcher" groups cited it as too extravagant. Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonprofit, cited the Eastlake Park-and-Ride on a list of cuts needed to be made.

  • City finance director resigns

    Jack Masterson resigns as Eastlake's finance director. In an interview with The News-Herald, he details his concerns about the stadium project and that he was left out of the process after expressing those concerns. In the story, Former Eastlake Mayor Dan DiLiberto disagrees with his comments.

  • State begins city audit

    State Auditor Betty Montgomery's office begins audit of Eastlake's finances because of the city's $3.2 million deficit.

  • DiLiberto resigns

    Eastlake Mayor Dan DiLiberto resigns, citing health problems. By city charter, the City Council president would take over, but President Chuck Hillier declines, and resigns from Council. Vice President George Spinner agrees to take over as interim mayor, and is moved into the president's post and then the mayor's job.

  • Eastlake goes into fiscal emergency

    Citing city debt of $4.5 million, Ohio Auditor Betty Montgomery places the City of Eastlake in "fiscal emergency," meaning the city is accountable for all financial decisions to the State of Ohio.

  • State auditor declares Eastlake in fiscal emergency

    State Auditor Betty Montgomery's office places the City of Eastlake in fiscal emergency, and the city's deficit is listed as $4.5 million as of March 31, 2004. Acting Finance Director Mike Vukovich says total deficit is $4.5 million, but the general fund deficit is still $3.2 million.

  • Voters reject levy

    Eastlake voters reject a 2.3-mill additional safety levy for safety forces.

  • State says Eastlake overcollecting for sewer levy

    City of Eastlake receives word that it has been overcollecting for a 2.5-mill sewer levy since at least 1994. Lake County officials say the city knew it was overcollecting. City officials said Masterson used the extra money to pay off other debt, including loan payments for the stadium.

  • Coulson says Eastlake acted illegally with levy money

    Lake County Prosecutor Charles Coulson says the City of Eastlake illegally spent surplus sewer levy money on other debts.

  • Ted Andrzejewski elected

    Eastlake voters elect Ted Andrzejewski to a one-year term as mayor, filling out the final year of former Mayor Dan DiLiberto's term. He subsequently was re-elected to four-year terms in 2005 and 2009.

  • City reworks debt

    Eastlake officials convert $13 million in short-term notes into long-term municipal bonds with a fixed rate of 4.25 percent.

  • Councilwoman recalled after financing debacle becomes clear

    Voters in Eastlake's Ward 1 vote to recall Lynn Moon Curtis. The councilwoman was head of the finance committee when the stadium deal was approved, and voters opted to remove her from office.

  • New Eastlake Mayor cites $48 million bill for stadium

    Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski and Finance Director Mike Slocum, meeting with editors of The News-Herald, disclose that the total cost for Eastlake Ballpark will be $48 million, and that city residents will foot the bill for $26 million of it.

  • New mayor rips plaque off wall at Eastlake Ballpark

    New Eastlake Mayor removes a plaque citing Eastlake Ballpark as "the house that Dan built" from a wall near the entrance to the stadium. Dan DiLiberto was mayor of the city of Eastlake when the stadium was approved, and resigned just as the financing debacle was being discovered.

  • Jim Brown buys naming rights for stadium

    Classic Auto Group president Jim Brown agrees to buy the naming rights for the stadium in Eastlake, and the park finally gets a name. Purchase price for naming rights for Classic Park was $4.25 million. The purchase was made in conjunction with Captains owners. The final installment of payment for the naming rights was made on June 26, 2009, with a check for $2.9895 million. The purchase of the naming rights enabled the City of Eastlake to retire $7.7 million of debt service.

  • Captains draw 1 millionth fan at home

    Lake County Captains welcome their 1 millionth fan through the gate at Classic Park. The park opened in April 2003.

  • Captains raise ticket prices

    Lake County Captains officials announce ticket prices will rise $1 per seat for the upcoming season. The Captains declined to increase ticket prices before the 2004 and 2005 seasons. After the hike, adult tickets cost $9; child and senior citizen tickets cost $8; while lawn and bleacher seats cost $7. A few years later, a $5 pooch pass also was introduced.

  • City voters reject levy

    City voters reject a five-year, 6-mill operations levy. As a result of the failure the city plans more cuts and announces the the JFK Senior Center will close at the end of 2006.

  • Eastlake receives first installment of highway funds payment

    Mayor Tex Andrzejewski accepts an $805,000 check from U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette for first installment of federal highway funds to pay for Park-and-Ride at Classic Park. The payments arrived in three installments that totaled $4.25 million.

  • Eastlake JFK Senior Center saved

    City officials announce the Eastlake JFK Senior Center will remain open through 2007. Officials said a combination of rental fees, a Community Development Block Grant secured by Lake County commissioners and $19,000 in gifts from private donors made the difference. Mayor Ted Andrzejewski also announces the city should have enough money in its general fund to pay for center operations for 2008.

  • Captains host SAL All-Star Game

    The Lake County Captains host the South Atlantic League's All-Star Game at Classic Park.

  • City released from "fiscal emergency"

    Ohio Auditor Mary Taylor releases City of Eastlake from fiscal emergency status, citing that the city ended 2006 with a $1.525 million balance. She also projected balances from 2007 through 2011 of $1.823 million to $2.648 million.

  • Mayor Ted pledges "peace" with the Captains

    Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski pledges peace with the Lake County Captains as they open their sixth season. "I'm going to do everything in my power to be positive about the Captains," he said.

  • Captains draw their 2 millionth fan at home

    The Lake County Captains welcomed their 2 millionth fan at Classic Park. The park opened in April 2003.

  • Captains win South Atlantic League's Northern Division

    The Lake County Captains win the first-half title in the South Atlantic League's Northern Division, clinching a playoff berth.

  • Captains lose in South Atlantic League Northern final

    The Lake County Captains lose to the West Virginia Power, two games to one, in the best-of-three South Atlantic League Northern final.

  • Captains make payment for naming rights

    Lake County Captains make $946,500 payment for one-third of naming rights. Total price tag for naming rights was $4.216 million. The Captains received a credit of $275,000 for the pedestrian bridge over Route 91.

  • City Council authorizes $10 million payment

    Eastlake City Council authorizes a payment of more than $10 million to pay down stadium debt. The money, which included funds from naming rights and highway funds for a Park-and-Ride at the stadium, was being held for several years in an interest-bearing account to build the funds up to help make this payment.

  • City makes $10 million payment on debt

    City of Eastlake makes payment of over $10 million on stadium debt: $4 million from federal transportation funds; $4 million from naming rights for the stadium; and $2.5 million in other funds city collected. The payment paid down all of city's 2002 taxable bond, and $2.62 million of 2004 tax-exempt bond.

  • Captains play first game in Midwest League

    Captains play first game in Midwest League, leaving South Atlantic League after seven seasons.

  • Captains win first-half title in Midwest League Eastern Division

    Captains win first-half title in Midwest League Eastern Division, clinching a playoff berth.

  • Captains win Midwest League Eastern Division semifinal

    Captains beat West Michigan Whitecaps two games to one in best-of-three Midwest League Eastern semifinal

  • Captains win Midwest League Eastern final

    Captains beat Great Lakes (Mich.) Loons two games to one in best-of-three Midwest League Eastern final.

  • Captains win Midwest League title

    Lake County Captains beat Clinton (Iowa) LumberKings three games to two in best-of-five Midwest League championship series.

  • Roverfest arrives in Eastlake

    RoverFest, sponsored by Cleveland radio station WMMS, takes place at Classic Park. More than 10,000 people attend the day-long event that features music, comedians and a calendar contest. After numerous complaints about noise, profanity streaming from the park and concerns over medical issues that took place at Classic Park, the event will not return to the stadium again.

  • Captains draw 3 millionth fan at home

    The Lake County Captains welcome their 3 millionth fan at Classic Park. The park opened in 2003.

  • Debt refinanced

    City of Eastlake refinances $9.6 million of stadium debt, reducing payments by $47,250 per year. Final payment expected to be made in 2027,