Sturgeon Bay city council members voted to move forward on a 40-unit apartment complex located in part on what is now the west side ball field Tuesday.

Council members debated the importance of affordable housing versus a ball field many in the community support preserving.

Northpoint Development of Oshkosh has proposed turning the west side school into ten apartment units and constructing a thirty-unit addition on what is now the ball field. The 30-unit addition would be affordable housing. The ten units in the former school building would be rented at market rates.

Carl Brindenhagen told council members that losing the west side field will mean the end of softball in Sturgeon Bay.

Mayor David Ward predicted that if the resolution supporting Northpoint Development is not approved the school will be torn down.

The vote to move forward in support of the Northpoint Development project passed by a vote of five to two with council members Kirsten Reeths and Gary Nault voting in opposition.