Construction is underway for the new Amarillo ballpark, and officials believe it is on track to open for the relocating San Antonio Missions (Class AA; Texas League) in 2019.
The new Amarillo ballpark is taking shape as the Elmore Sports Group braces for a three-team shift that will take effect for the 2019 season. That shuffle will see the current Missions move to Amarillo, with the Colorado Spring Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) moving to San Antonio, and the Helena Brewers (Rookie; Pioneer League) moving to Colorado Springs.
Plans call for construction of the new Amarillo ballpark, which is being built as part of a $45.5-million project, to be complete by April 1, 2019. The work of building the facility is now in full swing, and officials say that the process is on schedule. More from the Amarillo Globe-News:
“We actually are right on schedule,” said Jerry Danforth, the director of facilities and capital projects for the city.
In mid-February, city officials had said the excavation could start as early as Monday. It actually began Friday, he said.
“We are in a positive place right now,” Danforth said.
On Wednesday afternoon, a caravan of belly dump trailers entered the block-sized site at the intersection of S.E. Eighth Avenue and Lincoln Street. They kicked up enough dust that the northerly wind could have made it a little unpleasant for residents entering City Hall, which is just north of the future venue.
Out of the cities involved in the upcoming franchise shift, Amarillo is the only one to commit to a new ballpark, though Elmore Sports Group is expected to pursue one in San Antonio as well. The Elmore Sports Group is also working on a name-the-team contest, which has been slated to begin in April. The Missions name and branding will stay in San Antonio for use by the PCL team.
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