Peoria Chiefs Look to Refinance Stadium
By: Sophie Nielsen-Kolding WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: February 19, 2013
PEORIA- The Peoria Chiefs baseball team might be facing some money troubles.
Peoria Chiefs' president and CEO, Rocky Vonachen said they have been late on paying property taxes because of a cash flow issue. The ball park still has more than $4-million dollars left on its mortgage.
Vonachen said the chiefs want to refinance the stadium to take advantage of historically low interest rates. He said keeping stadium costs low will keep the Chiefs a strong community asset.
We asked Peorians what they think Chiefs Stadium means to downtown Peoria.
"People can go there, enjoy the city, enjoy downtown. I think it adds to the city an attraction, without it it takes it away," said Chris Konstantelos.
"So everyone's not getting in trouble and has something fun to do and it's nice to have down there," said Nicole Thornhill.
"It gives it some sports and stuff to do I noticed they went back to the Cardinals instead of the cubs now so maybe that's a better thing too," said Todd Wilson.
Peoria Chiefs Stadium has always been privately owned, and Peoria's city manager, Patrick Urich said he would encourage that to continue. Urich said the city would consider helping lower the property taxes, but said that is the only way the city wants to be financially involved.
