Northland College in Ashland has sold almost $1.5 million worth of properties after closing the campus this spring, including its baseball and softball fields.
After operating for 133 years, Northland closed at the end of May due to rising costs and declining enrollment. The closure affected around 150 faculty and staff and roughly 250 students. The college included 19 buildings on a 130-acre campus.
According to land records, the college has sold multiple lots and at least four homes totaling $1.48 million, including the president’s house that sold for $465,000 in July.
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The private nonprofit Chequamegon Bay Friends of the Fields, Inc. made the largest purchase so far when it bought Northland’s baseball and softball fields along with an indoor practice and storage facility and apple orchard for $485,000 in late August.
Tyler Wickman, a member of the group’s board of directors, said the total purchase came to $500,000 when factoring in equipment. Under a deed restriction, the property will be preserved for use as a sports and community complex for 30 years.
“(Northland) wanted some lasting legacy,” Wickman said. “It’s our goal to maintain these facilities for the community.”
The group purchased the fields with the help of funds from donors, including Northern State Bank. The fields have been used by the Ashland High School baseball and softball teams, as well as the Ashland Babe Ruth League for teens ages 13 to 16. Wickman said the hope is little league teams for kids 12 and under will be able to use the softball field.
The sale did not include Northland’s Ponzio Stadium, where football, lacrosse and soccer games have been held.
Ashland Schools Superintendent Rob Prater said the district is excited the fields have been preserved for community use.
“Northland has been … really generous with letting us use the field, and other local schools as well have had access,” Prater said. “To know that at least some of the facilities we’ll still have access to, it benefits our students quite a bit and the overall programs and community.”
Wickman said the group plans to develop a reservation system and charge a modest rental fee for use of the batting cages and fields to help maintain them, as well as seek sponsors and donations. The hope is to open them up for community use sometime this fall.
In a statement, Northland Board of Trustees Chair Ted Bristol said the college is pleased that the space will continue to be used as a hub for the community and athletics. Moving forward, the college is working to sell the campus to meet “financial commitments” incurred by Northland.
“The goal of the Board is to identify a buyer for the whole campus,” Bristol said.
The college has hired Chicago-based Huron Consulting Group, a major higher education consulting firm, and New York-based global commercial real estate firm Newmark. Bristol said the two firms are collaborating on the sale.
The college referred questions about the sale to Newmark. Bruce Westling, managing director of Newmark, said no other information is currently available.
Ashland Mayor Matt MacKenzie said it would be good to see another school utilize the campus, but he acknowledged that is unlikely.
“I think it would be nice if something could go in there that would be good for the city and also honor the past connection that Northland has had with the community,” MacKenzie said.
In the meantime, he noted the college is paying off creditors. Northland paid off a mortgage loan of $375,000 to CleanTech Partners Inc. on July 30, according to legal documents filed with Ashland County.
MacKenzie said the city is also weighing whether to hire a consultant and examine zoning of the campus property. He said there’s been speculation about converting the campus into housing and the city is trying to determine realistic uses for the property.
Meanwhile, the Chequamegon Bay Friends of the Fields is seeking donations and volunteers to maintain fields purchased from Northland, as well as make capital improvements that include a restroom facility. People can contact the group via email at cbfotf@gmail.com.
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