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Weld County DA launches investigation into Rocky Mountain Sports Park

Key player center of fraud investigation
Posted at 10:01 AM, Mar 07, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-07 17:33:16-05

WINDSOR, Colo. -- Northern Colorado's 'field of dreams' is facing a significant setback.

One of the co-founders of the Rocky Mountain Sports Park is under investigation for defrauding investors.

The Weld County District Attorney’s office has confirmed it is investigating business practices at the RMSP.

A spokesperson for the RMSP told Denver7 on Tuesday that the sports park itself presented information about former point person, Mike Billadeau, to the Weld County DA. It requested an investigation into Billadeau’s business practices and investor relationships.

Neither the DA or the RMSP would elaborate on the record about details of the investigation.

The Rocky Mountain Sports Park has been touted as the first of its kind in the nation. It could be the largest facility in the U.S. for traveling and competitive youth baseball and softball teams.

The website says the site will include 68 playing fields, a 4,500-seat centerpiece stadium along with restaurants, retail and hotels on the 490 acre site.

It is situated east of Fort Collins and north of Windsor at the corner of Harmony Road and Highway 257.

While some view it as a home run for the area, others have been crying foul since plans were unveiled, citing a number of concerns - including secrecy around the project.

“Traffic, noise, lights,” said Cathy Taylor. Taylor lives across the street from the proposed park and has been here for 25 years. “That’s why we moved out here. For the views.”

“I just can't believe how secret it's been kept and how much land it's consuming and the traffic, noise and lights that it's going to bring if it really goes through," said another neighbor at a protest of the project last October.

Billadeau was a key player early on in the development. He told Denver7 last summer the project would be like Disneyland for the youth athlete.

But, he's no longer associated with the project in any way, according to owner’s representative, Steven Chasteen. Chasteen said RMSP is fully cooperating with the investigation that it helped launch.

Despite the investigation, the acting town manager in Windsor told Denver7 on Tuesday the project still has the green light from the City. Windsor is working with RMSP on sewer lines and other infrastructure needs.

The owner's agent said despite investigation, the park is 100 percent committed to moving forward, with the first phase slated for completion for summer 2019.