Seats are currently being installed at MGM Park, new home of the Biloxi Shuckers (Class AA; Southern League), as the lease is clarified to define exactly when the ballpark can open.
The Shuckers have already moved April and May games to road games; the issue was whether the ballpark would be ready for use in June. With the team agreeing to spend $925,000 on AV equipment and signage, and the City Council agreeing to issue a temporary certificate of occupancy if some nonessential work, like painting, is not completed, it looks like the ballpark is on track for a June 1 opening. From the Biloxi Sun Herald:
This week, crews started putting seating in the bowl, worked on drainage in the outfield and are laying out the bases. Next will be the soil, and Bennett said he hopes grass can go down in about 30 days.
“The purpose of the team putting the money up is so that we can open as soon as possible, even if that means the stadium is not done in its entirety,” Bennett said.
That could require a temporary certificate of occupancy from the city, he said. “As long as we can operate safely and the boys can play ball, we want to get in there.”
The city is contractually bound to pay $10,000 for each missed home game.
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Image of MGM Park via construction webcam.