The Eugene Emeralds say they'll have to leave PK Park to comply with Major League Baseball's standards. Their plan to move to the Lane Events Center has received pushback from some city officials and other organizations that use the space.
Courtesy of the Eugene Emeralds / KLCC
Eugene voters have rejected a $15 million bond, which would have helped fund a new minor-league baseball stadium at the Lane County Fairgrounds.
In initial returns, only 33% of voters supported the measure, with 67% opposing it.
Advocates had argued the bond measure was the last chance to stop the Eugene Emeralds from leaving. Without the stadium, Ems General Manager Allan Benavides has said Major League Baseball will likely move his team to another city.
Following the first returns, Benavides told KLCC he felt the voters had spoken. He said he doesn’t know what the team’s next steps are.
“We’ll have to get really creative if we want to stay here, or find a new home,” said Benavides.
During the runup to the election, opponents said it would have been a risky move in the middle of a city budget crisis, and could have interfered with other events at the fairgrounds.