The Eugene Emeralds’ 70-year stay in Eugene could be coming to an end.

The outlook is grim for the minor league baseball team remaining in Eugene after voters appeared to have rejected a $15 million bond measure that would have helped fund a new stadium for the Emeralds at the Lane County Fairgrounds.

Emeralds General Manager Allan Benavides told the Eugene Register-Guard the results were “very discouraging.” Benavides was unsure what the team’s next steps would be.

The Emeralds had hoped the measure would pass, giving them a realistic chance of funding the new stadium, which has an estimated cost of $90 million. The Emeralds had already received $15 million from the state, as long as they were able to bridge the funding gap. They have received $1.5 million from the federal government and $23.5 million from team ownership. In addition, the team was projected to receive $35 million from Lane County.

Supporters of a new stadium said the multi-use facility would be used for baseball games, entertainment and local events while revitalizing the area surrounding the fairgrounds. Opponents of the measure said approval would be inappropriate for a city currently knee-deep in a budget crisis. In addition, critics worried that passing the measure could sour voters on approving other bonds or levies in the future.

Major League Baseball has adopted new standards for minor league stadiums since taking over Minor League Baseball in 2020. The Emeralds currently play their home games in PK Park, home of the Oregon Ducks’ baseball team.

The Hillsboro Hops faced the same issue as the Emeralds, but the Hops were able to secure funding for a new stadium. The Hops’ stadium has an estimated cost of $120 million, with more than $80 million coming from private funding.

The Emeralds began their inaugural season in 1955.