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.

Northwestern Medicine Field

Former namesKane County Events Park (1991–1993)
Philip B. Elfstrom Stadium (1993–2011)
Fifth Third Bank Ballpark (2012–2016)
Location34W002 Cherry Lane
Geneva, Illinois 60134
Coordinates41°52′50.34″N 88°16′54.32″W
OwnerKane County Forest Preserve
OperatorKane County Cougars Baseball Club
Capacity3,600 (1991)
4,800 (1992–1996)
5,600 (1997–1999)
7,400 (2000–2014)
10,923 (2015–present)[1]
Field sizeLeft Field: 335 feet
Center Field: 400 feet
Right Field: 335 feet
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke groundMay 1990
OpenedApril 13, 1991
Construction cost$5 million
($9.39 million in 2019 dollars[2])
$14.5 million (renovation)
ArchitectPopulous
Structural engineerHarper & Kerr, P.A.[3]
Services engineerBredson & Associates, Inc.[4]
General contractorMarkur Contractors Inc.[5]
Tenants
Kane County Cougars (AA) (1991–present)

History
Elfstrom Stadium

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 baseball team, previously members of the Midwest League.[7] The stadium was constructed in 1991, and in 2001 the Cougars set a league attendance record of 523,222.[8] On May 3, 2012 or "5/3 day", the stadium was officially renamed Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.[9]

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.[10]

The ballpark was renamed Northwestern Medicine Field on November 15, 2016, in a five-year naming rights deal with Northwestern Medicine.[11]

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.[12]

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.[13]

References
  1. "2015 Midwest League Media Guide". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2015. p. 36. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  2. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  3. "Request for Proposals Homestead Baseball Stadium Complex". City of Homestead. May 5, 1989. p. 15. Retrieved August 11, 2013.
  4. "Pro Baseball Sports Facilities". Bredson & Associates, Inc. Archived from the original on April 10, 2002. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  5. Sjostrom, Joseph (October 11, 1989). "Kane OKs A Baseball Stadium". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  6. Sjostrom, Joseph (April 8, 1990). "Elfstrom`s Way Is Usually Kane`s". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  7. Gregor, Scot (December 10, 2020). "Some major changes are coming for the Kane County Cougars. Here's what they are". Daily Herald. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  8. McCarthy, Jack (July 22, 2013). "Cougars Hit Attendance Milestone". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  9. "Kane County Cougars Ballpark Renamed Fifth Third Bank Ballpark". Chicago Tribune. May 3, 2012. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  10. Brown, Patrick (June 19, 2012). "Dickson Puts on a Show in All-Star Rout". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  11. Boatman, Jacquie (November 15, 2016). "Cougars and Northwestern Medicine Reach Naming Rights Agreement". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  12. Kennedy, James (December 5, 2008). "Elfstrom Stadium to Offer Luxury Suites Next Season". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  13. Touney, Shawn (September 2, 2014). "Cougars Announce 2015 Capital Improvement Projects". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved September 3, 2014.


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