ROACH, Mo. — With an aim of hosting the first ballgames in the summer of 2017, Ballparks of the Ozarks’ CEO Jeff Vernetti and COO Bob Ramsey welcomed more than 60 people to a second ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 21, as dozers and trucks moved dirt to clear ground for the fields to come.
County Commissioners Bev Thomas and Cliff Luber were on hand for the occasion. Luber, representing the 2nd District where the fields are located, spoke briefly, noting the project is a “big boon for the district.”
Ramsey and Vernetti took turns highlighting special features of the clubhouse and fields. No batter, for example, will look into the setting sun even though the project would have been easier and cheaper if that safety factor had not been implemented, Ramsey said.
Since the Ballparks of the Ozarks is west of Old Kinderhook and the owners admire the appearance of those buildings, Thomas Construction has been hired to design and build the clubhouse with the same design features. In fact, as Ramsey noted, the entire project is to create a “destination elite Little League baseball” park. He predicts it will become America’s baseball resort because Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks offers great price points and the finest resort and entertainment amenities for families.
Owners Vernetti and Ramsey introduced the design-build team. In addition to Thomas Construction are Olsson Associates , Spoonball Sports, and Kissick Construction. Co-owners Vernetti and Ramsey noted they are soliciting naming partners and announced that Ryan Kelley of The Home Loan Expert is among the first; he shared that his current investment interest and commitment is for youth, making the Ballparks project a natural fit. He joins the first to sign on: George Weber of Weber Chevrolet in the St. Louis area.
Also in attendance were Representative Diane Franklin; representatives from Camdenton, Lake Area, and Lake West Chambers of Commerce; Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB), Tri-County CVB; MSW Interactive; Big Planet Media, and both local and state news media. David Campanini was present; he will direct the Ballparks human resources programs.
LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — Ballparks of the Ozarks is partnering with businesses around the Lake of the Ozarks as the project moves toward the …
