At this point, Ole Miss expects that ongoing construction for renovations to Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field will conclude in April.
Ole Miss has been working to improve the facility through a $20-million renovation project that will affect both the player and fan experiences. While a new building to house team facilities is in the works on the first base side, Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field is also expected to receive new premium seating, including options behind home plate and on top of the new building.
Construction of the new home clubhouse is expected to wrap up in mid-April, but Ole Miss anticipates that some touches from the renovation will be ready by the ballpark’s first game of the season. More from WTVA.com:
“From a fan standpoint, it is fantastic,” Associate Athletics Director for Facilities and Game Operations Joe Swingle said. “Now what we are doing is making it for the student-athlete. From a recruiting standpoint and getting kids here, I would now put ours up against anyone in the country.”
The newly-erected 42,000 square foot baseball building is the bulk of the project and the part that will benefit the players the most. It will provide a new locker room, equipment room, hitting and pitching tunnels, new weight room, a lounge, a nutrition center and a new film room. Swingle expects the hitting and pitching tunnels to be completed before the Rebels’ first game on February 16.
The 3,200-foot dugout club should also be ready by the first game. That portion of the project will add 330 seats behind home plate with a suite-like area below the seats, similar to the lower-portion of the south end zone at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field originally opened in 1989.
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