Dozer Park

{{redirect|O'Brien Field|the stadium in Charleston, Illinois used by Eastern Illinois University|O'Brien Field (Charleston)}}

{{Infobox stadium

| name = Dozer Park

| nickname =

| image = 125px
200px

| fullname =

| location = 730 Southwest Jefferson Street
Peoria, IL 61605

| coordinates = {{coord|40|41|15|N|89|35|51|W|type:landmark_region:US-IL|display=inline,title}}

| broke_ground = {{start date|2001|8|16}}

| built =

| opened = {{start date|2002|5|24}}

| closed =

| demolished =

| owner = Peoria Chiefs Community Baseball LLC

| operator = Peoria Chiefs Community Baseball LLC

| surface = Sod (1–1¼ inches)

| construction_cost = $23 million
(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|23000000|2002}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})

| architect = HNTB

| structural engineer =

| services engineer = Clark Engineers MW Inc.{{cite web |title=O'Brien Field|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2002/05/20020527/Facilities/Obrien-Field.aspx|work=SportsBusiness Journal|date=May 27, 2002|accessdate=September 17, 2011}}

| general_contractor = River City Construction LLC

| project_manager =

| main_contractors = Prairie Construction Systems Inc.

| former_names = O'Brien Field (2002–2008)
Chiefs Stadium (2009–2013)

| tenants = Peoria Chiefs (MWL/High-A Central) (2002–present)
Bradley Braves (NCAA) (2002–present)

| capacity = 8,500

| record_attendance = 8,825 (May 24, 2002 vs. Kane County Cougars)

| dimensions = 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)

| publictransit = {{Bus icon}} CityLink

}}

Dozer Park, originally O'Brien Field and formerly Chiefs Stadium, is a baseball field located in downtown Peoria, Illinois.{{cite news |title=Caterpillar Names Baseball Stadium 'Dozer Park'|first=Kevin|last=Cape|url=http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1865974969/Dozer-Park-is-new-name-for-Peoria-baseball-stadium|newspaper=Journal Star (Peoria)|date=May 10, 2013|accessdate=May 10, 2013}} It is the home of the Peoria Chiefs, the Midwest League 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.{{cite web |title=Chiefs Stadium Renamed Dozer Park|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-47104060|publisher=Peoria Chiefs|date=May 10, 2013|access-date=May 10, 2013}}

History

Official groundbreaking ceremonies for the $23 million multi-purpose stadium took place on August 16, 2001.{{cite news |title=South Bend Takes Pair of Games from Chiefs|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=BL&p_theme=bl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F01FD1624182550&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|newspaper=The Pantagraph|location=Bloomington–Normal|date=August 11, 2001|accessdate=August 11, 2013}} The stadium opened on May 24, 2002, as O'Brien Field, with a game between the Chiefs and the Kane County Cougars.{{cite web |title=Stadium History|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-41469004|publisher=Peoria Chiefs|date=December 2, 2008|access-date=August 11, 2013}}

O'Brien Auto Team held the original naming rights to the facility.

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.{{cite web |title=Baseball State Finals: 1A/2A Tournament Moves To Peoria, 3A/4A Extended In Joliet |url=http://www.ihsa.org/announce/2010-11/2010-10-12.htm |publisher=Illinois High School Association |accessdate=June 8, 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231223735/http://www.ihsa.org/announce/2010-11/2010-10-12.htm |archivedate=December 31, 2010 |date=October 12, 2010 |url-status=dead }}

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; including $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.{{cite news |title=Peoria City Council Approves Financial Restructuring for Chiefs|first=Nick|last=Vlahos|url=http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1213308616/City-Council-approves-financial-bailout-for-Chiefs|newspaper=Journal Star (Peoria)|date=April 30, 2013|accessdate=May 10, 2013}}

On May 10, 2013, Caterpillar and the Chiefs announced that the stadium would be renamed "Dozer Park", a reference to Caterpillar bulldozers.

The field

Dozer Park's sod has an {{convert|8|in|mm|adj=on}} 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 {{convert|6|in|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 is wear resistant. The rest of the infield skin area is around 40% clay, 30% silt and 20% sand.

The field will hold up to {{convert|5|in|mm}} of rain an hour.

The field is mowed every day during homestands, trimmed to {{convert|1|-|1+1/4|in|mm}} high. It takes 1.25 hours to cut the outfield grass 2 directions with a {{convert|100|in|m|adj=on}} cut mower. A walk-behind mower is used for the infield.

The price tag for the field itself was around $450,000.{{cite news |title=Guide to O'Brien Field|first=Dave|last=Reynolds|url=http://www.pjstar.com/services/special/2002obrienfield/stories/g93817a.html|newspaper=Journal Star (Peoria)|accessdate=August 11, 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020603222155/http://www.pjstar.com/services/special/2002obrienfield/stories/g93817a.html|archivedate=June 3, 2002}}

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."{{cite news |title=Big-League Style Ballpark a Hit in Peoria|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_multi=JS&p_product=JS&p_theme=gatehouse&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=jay%20janssen%20suite%20AND%20date(all)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(jay%20janssen%20suite)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no#ixzz2bikm6l7h|newspaper=Journal Star (Peoria)|date=October 19, 2002|accessdate=August 11, 2013}}
Caterpillar, Inc. owns a double suite that is primarily used to entertain the customers and VIP guests the company hosts in the community.

Food

Other than the five fixed concession stands, there are mobile carts around the park. The Chiefs' concessionaire is Professional Sports Catering.{{cite web |title=Who We're Working With|url=http://www.prosportscatering.com/minor_league_baseball.html|publisher=Professional Sports Catering|accessdate=August 11, 2013}}

References

External links

[https://www.milb.com/peoria/ballpark Ballpark - Peoria Chiefs Dozer Park]
[https://bradleybraves.com/sports/2013/11/20/130293.aspx Dozer Park - Bradley University Athletics]

Category:Bradley Braves baseball

Category:College baseball venues in Illinois

Category:Minor league baseball venues

Category:Sports venues in Peoria, Illinois

Category:Buildings and structures in Peoria, Illinois

Category:Tourist attractions in Peoria, Illinois

Category:Sports venues completed in 2002

Category:2002 establishments in Illinois

Category:Midwest League ballparks