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Bennett, Young, Bryant unveil plans for new Biloxi ballpark

Caillavet Park, Biloxi

A trio of dignitaries — Tim Bennett, Ken Young and Gov. Phil Bryant — unveiled plans for Caillavet Park in Biloxi, as the state has kicked in $15 million in BP oil-spill money toward the project.

The Biloxi City Council had already agreed to issue $21 million in bonds for the project, and now more details of the ballpark and team ownership has been released. Ken Young is negotiating to buy a Class AA Southern League franchise; Young is a major player in MiLB circles with ownership of the Albuquerque Isotopes (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League), Norfolk Tides (Class AAA; International League), Bowie BaySox (Class AA; Eastern League) and the Frederick Keys (High Class A; Carolina League) and serves as president of Ovations Food Services. The new ballpark will sit on land leased by MGM Resorts International, parent of Beau Rivage Resort & Casino on the property. 

Though Bennett and Young would like to see the ballpark open for the 2014 season, there’s one more big issue: the ballpark deal is contingent on Young closing on a purchase of a team. So, for 2014 to be a possibility, the sale will need to come sooner than later.

The new ballpark is expected to cost $36 million; combine $15 million in state money with the $21 million already committed by the city, and you have the total construction budget.

The new 7,000-capacity ballpark will (for now) be known as Caillavet Park (named for a street next to the ballpark), though we don’t expect that name to stick if naming rights go on the market.

Caillavet Park

Renderings courtest of Dale Associates Architects.

RELATED STORIES: Bennett: We can open Biloxi ballpark in 2014; Biloxi commits to borrowing $21 million for new ballpark; Another run at affiliated ball in Biloxi; Talk about Biloxi ballpark emerges again

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