Work has started on the expansion at the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville.
“Project Heaven” provides $80 million in private investment to expand the site by adding nearly 100 acres to the original 190-acre footprint of the former Lansing family farm and movie site. The expansion will include nine new baseball and softball fields for boys and girls, team dormitories and a boutique hotel, along with other phased improvements – all sitting on the same property where the Kevin Costner movie was filmed in 1988.
Supporters and officials gathered on Wednesday afternoon for a groundbreaking ceremony.
Baseball hall of famer Frank Thomas is the new owner of the Field of Dreams Movie Site and CEO of Go the Distance Baseball, LLC. Thomas says he’s looking forward to what this project will bring.
Youth ball teams have been coming to Dyersville over the past couple years to play in tournaments in town and at the famous field. Dyersville Mayor Jeff Jacque says he’s seen firsthand how much that means to them.
“Project Heaven” is the largest private investment ever in Dyersville and one of the largest in Dubuque County. Go the Distance Baseball LLC says it’s expected to create 170 new full-time equivalent jobs and boost economic development and tourism in eastern Iowa. Dubuque County Supervisor Harley Pothoff says he’s grateful the baseball world is investing in Dyersville and our corner of the state.
The nine ballfields, team dorms and hotel are all slated to be completed in phases by the end of 2023. Additional phases through 2025 include a 100,000 square-foot fieldhouse, an outdoor concert amphitheater, an RV park, a large park inclusive for children and adults with disabilities and jogging trails through the cornfields.
top photo courtesy of State Senator Carrie Koelker; bottom image courtesy of Go the Distance Baseball, LLC
