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Augusta Still Deciding Lake Olmstead Stadium’s Fate

Debate over the future of Lake Olmstead Stadium continues, as Augusta officials are discussing the next use for the former home of the Augusta GreenJackets (Low A; Sally League). 

The 2018 season has marked the GreenJackets’ first at SRP Park–a new ballpark that is positioned as the centerpiece of the larger Riverside Village development in North Augusta, SC. With the team now playing at its new home, Augusta, GA officials are trying to determine what to do with Lake Olmstead Stadium, which has been mostly idle since the GreenJackets’ departure.

It appears that Augusta officials are discussing some potential reuses for the facility, including a conversion into an amphitheater or a multipurpose facility that could host sports and other events. A final decision on the ballpark’s fate has not been made, though city officials–including director of recreation and parks Glenn Parker–appear open to exploring ideas for Lake Olmstead Stadium. More from the Augusta Chronicle:

It will take about $500,000 to address all of the issues in the stadium that opened in 1995, from electrical and bathrooms to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Commissioners asked Parker and Central Services Director Takiyah Douse to come back with a more detailed look at what needs to be renovated.

Beyond that, there are a number of options the city could explore, Parker said. [Commissioner Andrew] Jefferson wants to see “if we could convert it to an amphitheater” and use it for functions and shows that “Augusta Common is not big enough to accommodate.”…

Mayor Pro Tem Mary Davis asked Parker whether Augusta University – which has played baseball games at the stadium for years – or Paine College is interested in the stadium. Parker said there have been talks but “it doesn’t look like that’s the route we’re going to take.”

If there was an interested tenant, the city could look at a short-term lease over the next two years, until the next special purpose local options sales tax package is being put together, he said.

The GreenJackets played their last game at Lake Olmstead Stadium in September 2017. The team maintained a lease for the ballpark in 2018 as a contingency in case SRP Park did not open on schedule, but that agreement will expire next month. SRP Park opened as scheduled on April 12 of this year.

RELATED STORIES: Augusta Faces Decision on Lake Olmstead StadiumAugusta Mulls Lake Olmstead Stadium’s FutureGreenJackets Close Out Lake Olmstead History Tonight

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