The Omaha Royals signed the contract for a new ballpark in rural Sarpy County.
A new ballpark for the Omaha Royals (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) is a go, as team president Alan Stein announced the final contract for the project was signed yesterday.
"We are extremely pleased that we are going to stay in the Omaha metro area and will be playing baseball here for many years to come," Stein said. "The Royals have a strong bond with our fans and sponsors and the growth in attendance and increase in sponsor relationships is proof we have a relevant place in the metro’s sports and entertainment community."
The ballpark will be located at Highway 370 and 120th Street in Papillion; the ballpark is envisioned as the core of a larger development down the road. The O-Royals will pay $2.35 million toward the $20.3-million construction of the ballpark, with rent covering more than half of the cost of the ballpark over the life of the 25-year contract to retire the debt.
“We couldn’t be happier that the Omaha Royals are staying in the metro area and that we were able to make their new home in Sarpy County,” said Joni Jones, chairwoman of the Sarpy County Board. “The next step is to break ground on the ballpark, which we hope to do in the next month."
RELATED STORIES: Sarpy County to go rural with O-Royals ballpark site recommendation today; Sarpy County officials hint at O-Royals ballpark funding plan; Sarpy County developers eager to host new O-Royals ballpark; DLR lands Sarpy County ballpark design deal; Sarpy County mayors express doubts about new O-Royals ballpark; Details of O-Royals/Sarpy County lease revealed; Agreement reached on new O-Royals ballpark; O-Royals, Sarpy County on verge of signing ballpark deal
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