It will take an additional million dollars to complete MGM Park, the new Biloxi Shuckers (Class AA; Southern League) ballpark, on time for the 2015 season.
The estimate from Yates Construction was made to the City Council last night. Even though the Shuckers have announced the team will play April and May on the road and in Huntsville, the city is working toward an April 21 opening. The big reason for that: every day the ballpark is not completed — and in this case, the city is working on a definition of ready for play on the field, not a total completion of the project — the Shuckers will be due a $10,000 payment. From the Biloxi Sun-Herald:
“We don’t have $1 million dollars,” city attorney Gina Tompkins told the Biloxi Council on Tuesday.
Tompkins said she met Monday with officials from Yates Construction, which is building the stadium on U.S. 90. Even if the city manages to come up with the money, she said the stadium still won’t be completely done in time.
“The first impression people would have is a construction site,” she said.
As noted, the Shuckers are shifting every April and May series to other ballparks, including a “home” series in Pearl and at least 15 games at Joe Davis Stadium. The current estimated date for an MGM Park opening: June 6, but that’s certainly not written in stone.