The Billings Mustangs have implemented a $1 fee on home game tickets to raise funds for necessary improvements at Dehler Park, their home field.
Some of the planned enhancements include extending the foul ball nets along the field’s sides to the foul ball poles and replacing the grass, which has not been done since the park’s inception.
The revenue generated from the additional ticket fee will be allocated to an existing account designated for field maintenance. This account is jointly funded by the city of Billings and the Mustangs on an annual basis. While the city owns Dehler Park, the Mustangs rent it and cover daily operations.
“We aim to not just own this asset, but also ensure its upkeep and continuous improvement,” stated City Administrator Chris Kukulski.
Kukulski shared that both the City and Mustangs collaboratively decided to introduce the extra fee. This fee will raise the cost of a general admission ticket from $9 to $10.
However, for many Mustangs fans like Laurie Watts, this decision was met with disappointment.
“Now they want to add an extra dollar?” Watts expressed. “What will it be next year or in the future? I don’t trust the city to spend it wisely.”
While Watts enjoys attending games, she finds the additional fee disheartening, fearing it may be diverted to other city projects unrelated to Dehler Park.
Assuring MTN that the generated funds will remain at Dehler Park, Kukulski expects the fee to reach $40,000 this season. The extension of the foul ball nets is estimated to cost between $250,000 to $400,000.
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“Unfortunately, the costs for projects like these can be quite surprising,” Kukulski acknowledged. “Hence, we are saving up for it.”
Besides the foul ball nets, the city is considering more expensive projects, including replacing the grass at Dehler with turf. Though pricey at $1.5 million, it would be the first grass replacement since the park’s construction.
“At some point, the field will require replacement,” Kukulski explained. “Switching to turf would allow for increased usage and extension of the season.”
Transitioning to a turf field would simplify maintenance for the grounds crew, prolong the baseball season, and with high school baseball now approved by the MHSA, the additional utility could prove advantageous moving forward.
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Kukulski also mentioned that a turf field would enable hosting other events like concerts, in line with the original intent of Dehler Park. Yet, despite being operational for over two decades, only one concert was held back in 2010.
“Having a concert at this venue would be fantastic,” shared Watts.
All these upgrades serve one primary objective: to re-establish the Mustangs’ affiliation with a Major League Baseball team. Historically tied to the Cincinnati Reds for many years, the team lost its affiliation due to MLB’s cost-cutting measure, which eliminated 40 minor league teams, including the Pioneer League that housed the Mustangs.
In 2021, a new ownership group emerged to revive the Mustangs, although they are no longer affiliated with a Major League team.
According to Kukulski, achieving this goal would require numerous steps and likely a $6 million bond or levy.
“This is definitely part of our long-term ambition and will necessitate a collective endeavor,” Kukulski affirmed.
