Iowa's 'Field of Dreams'

movie site sale completed

An investment group that includes Hall of Fame third baseman Wade Boggs has completed its oft-delayed purchase of the eastern Iowa farm where "Field of Dreams" was filmed.

The group plans to begin turning it into a large baseball and softball tournament complex in the spring.

Go the Distance Baseball LLC said it closed on the deal recently for the 193-acre farm in Dyersville, paying sellers Don and Becky Lansing $3.4 million, plus interest.

The Lansings originally listed their farm more than two years ago for $5.4 million.

Go the Distance plans to transform the state landmark into All-Star Ballpark Heaven, a 24-field youth baseball and softball tournament complex.

Construction is expected to begin this spring, with the first tournament games scheduled for 2014, the Des Moines Register reported.

Go the Distance plans to preserve the farmhouse and the rest of the site where the beloved 1989 Kevin Costner movie was shot.

The group estimates that its project will create 1,400 jobs and will eventually bring in $40 million to the area.

The sale ran into delays.

Some area residents opposed the development and filed a petition in September requesting to block a zoning change needed to allow commercial use of the property.

A judge later denied the request.