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Board defends Dune Coast Baseball lease as neighbors raise concerns about noise, lights and traffic
Summary
The New Buffalo Area Schools Board outlined a 14-month public process and said a multi-year lease with Dune Coast Baseball brings $750,000+ in privately funded stadium upgrades while neighbors warned about noise, lighting, traffic and alcohol oversight; board described a 'Good Neighbor' policy limiting lights and game end times.
The New Buffalo Area Schools Board spent much of its June 8 meeting addressing resident concerns about a multi-year lease that will bring a Northwoods League summer collegiate franchise to Bison Field in late May 2027. Board members emphasized that the lease was executed in open sessions after more than a year of public meetings and media coverage.
Board presenters said the franchise will fund more than $750,000 in capital improvements at no cost to taxpayers and that the upgrades will remain district assets for student use. The board cited specific seating plans under review (198 chairback seats behind home plate and a stated total bleacher capacity of 586) and said Musco Sports Lighting will provide directional LED fixtures designed to limit spill light. Officials also described a 'Good Neighbor' operational policy requiring stadium lights to be turned off within 30 minutes of the final out and said most games are expected to conclude by 9:30 p.m.
The presentation recounted a 14-month public process that included public sessions, city council presentations and district newsletters; board materials and minutes are posted online, officials said. The board acknowledged community questions about procurement of a new public-address system and said that procurement has not yet started and will be addressed with neighborhood concerns in mind. Staff said the team will fund parking staff and that school lots will serve as primary parking, with traffic funneled to major roads (US-12, Red Arrow and 94) to limit cut-through in residential streets.
Public commenters expressed a range of views. Diane Pyschos and Nora Howe raised concerns about amplified sound, evening games, lighting, traffic and compliance with state liquor laws; Jim Howe asked whether extra-inning games could run as late as midnight and whether a softball league would use the softball field. Other residents, including Conner Lijewski and Justin Cohen, voiced support for the project and praised district outreach and potential local economic benefits.
Board members said the district will hold partners to operational guardrails and highlighted student opportunities in the form of seasonal internships and vocational roles in sports management, marketing and broadcasting. The board did not take a new vote at the meeting; the lease had been executed previously and was discussed as an active program and operations matter.
The board encouraged residents to continue submitting questions and noted that agendas and minutes are posted on the district website for review.
