The future of Ray Winder Field has been debated for several years now, but Friday, that future is a little clearer.

Three groups that want Ray Winder made pitches to a committee; the Little Rock Zoo, the Ray Winder Foundation and UAMS.

After all three presentations, the committee gave UAMS the nod, something the city board will vote on in 2 to 4 weeks.

The Ray Winder Foundation wants to renovate and preserve the field, allowing local high school and amateur teams to play there.

The committee deemed that proposal "unacceptable" because it didn't meet certain criteria in terms of use and financial stability.

The field was then narrowed to the Little Rock Zoo, hoping to use Ray Winder for an Asian habitat and elephant exhibit and UAMS which has plans to expand their campus.

Officials say they may eventually build a dental school, for instance.

The committee decided the UAMS proposal was strongest.

"UAMS is a huge economic engine for the community, as we state today, and the zoo is an unbelievable visitor domain and it's something that's significantly important to our community so it was sort of a balance between the two,” says committee chair Jim Dailey.

UAMS Chancellor Dodd Wilson says the hospital doesn't have an immediate need for that land, so it may work with the Ray Winder Foundation to keep the field operational for about 10 years.