The city of Marion pledged $750,000 to the Prospect Meadows baseball and softball project over the next five fiscal years Thursday night.

Approval came after members of the Marion City Council debated how and when the money would be distributed. The Council added a caveat to the pledge, specifying funding would be provided as long as the city budget allowed.

"I don't want you to think we don't support what you're doing," Councilman Joe Spinks told representatives of Prospect Meadows. "We just don't know for certain what's going to happen in the future."

The proposed pay schedule, though not yet approved through budgeting by the city council, would see $100,000 given to Prospect Meadows in the next two budget years with the remainder to follow in the three years after that.

All members of the Council spoke favorably of the project, saying they felt it was going to be a great addition to the area. The measure passed unanimously.

The plans for Prospect Meadows include 17 fields. The facility would be located northeast of Marion, near the corner of County Home Road and Highway 13.

The proposed cost of the project is $9.4 million. Organizers plan to hold baseball and softball tournaments and leagues, generating millions of dollars for the local economy.

A completion date has not been announced.