The Yakima Bears obtained the final approval needed to relocate to Hillsboro on Tuesday, according to Hillsboro Mayor Jerry Willey.
Willey closed the city council meeting on Tuesday with an announcement that the Class A baseball team obtained approval from Major League Baseball to relocate from Yakima to Hillsboro.
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“We are cleared for takeoff,” Willey said. He also added the city is hopeful construction of the $15.2 million stadium at the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex can begin as soon as possible. The city initially said construction was slated for October, but city officials hope work can begin on the 4,500-seat stadium sooner than that.
Among remaining issues are the team’s name and finalizing a concessions agreement. A 20-year lease is already in hand, and with an agreement on naming rights put away in recent weeks that had left the city and team waiting for the final approval from the MLB.
General manager K.L. Wombacher confirmed via email that the team received MLB approval on Tuesday.
The Hillsboro baseball team is expected to tee off for opening day in June 2013. The team plays 38 home games.
The approval leaves one major item to check off the list: the team’s name.
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