Talks for a new Las Vegas 51s (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) ballpark are progressing, with the effort focused on tying the venue to an NHL training facility in Summerlin.
The 51s have made their desire to leave the outdated Cashman Field known, and have been tied to discussions regarding a new ballpark Summerlin. In November, it was reported that the 51s and the Howard Hughes Corporation, which has a financial stake in the team, were looking at an option in Summerlin that would allow a new ballpark to be constructed next to a training facility for the Vegas Golden Knights, the NHL expansion franchise that will begin play this fall.
Word of that proposal surfaced after negotiations between the Howard Hughes Corp. and Clark County broke down, with Clark County claiming that the estimated cost of the project had jumped from $65 million to $85 million. However, both sides now say that talks for a new ballpark are taking place, and believe that something could result from the discussions. More from the Las Vegas Review-Journal:
“I think it’s fair to say that part of the reason that the project was quiet for awhile had to do with a very strong focus by the community in general on the NFL project,” said Tom Warden, senior vice president of community and government relations for Howard Hughes. “Now that it’s looking good, it’s maybe an appropriate time to restart the 51s stadium project.”
Talks had stalled last year when County Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak said Howard Hughes’ Texas-based group had raised the price tag on the stadium from $65 million to $85 million.
But Sisolak said last week that negotiations for a new home for the 51s are ongoing. He said the conditions at Cashman Field are unacceptable and that the Summerlin site was still being considered.
“I think you’ll see something come to fruition on that in the next couple months,” he said. “In the manner of an understanding the location of a stadium, the design of a stadium and how it would be orchestrated and constructed, paid for, what not.”
It has been a busy time for sports in Las Vegas, as the city is not only prepping for the arrival of its new NHL team, but is looking to finalize a new stadium for the Oakland Raiders and has recently expressed interest in courting an MLS franchise. The 51s have an agreement at Cashman Field that runs through 2022, but both the team and the Pacific Coast League have expressed the desire to see a new ballpark be constructed sooner rather than later.
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