Ground was broken on Tuesday for a new Kannapolis Intimidators (Low A; Sally League) ballpark, marking a milestone for the upcoming downtown Kannapolis venue.
The Intimidators are planning to move into a new $52 million ballpark in 2020, part of a larger downtown redevelopment initiative. The project took a major step forward last month, when it was announced that new team owner Temerity Baseball, LLC came to an agreement with the city on the facility, formally pitched as a Sports and Entertainment Venue.
When it opens, the new ballpark should offer a significant upgrade over the team’s current home, Intimidators Stadium. The expectations of an improved baseball experience for fans was noted on Tuesday, but the highlight for many was what the groundbreaking ceremony represented in the broader effort to bring new mixed-use development to downtown Kannapolis. More from Salisbury Post:
“Today, we’re not just celebrating the construction of a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex,” said Cabarrus County Commission Chairman Steve Morris. “This complex will be a catalyst for smart, sustained growth.”
City Manager Mike Legg said the venue has already resulted in commitments by private investors for adjacent mixed-use developments valued at more than $100 million.
“Today’s groundbreaking is the start of an exciting journey toward a revitalized Kannapolis with a thriving sports and entertainment venue,” said Andy Sandler, chairman of Temerity Capital Partners, the owner of the Kannapolis Intimidators. “Temerity Baseball looks forward to partnering with the Kannapolis community on this endeavor.”
Legg said the new facility will feature three times the number of places to purchase concessions and 10 seating options as opposed to three at the Intimidators’ current stadium.
Construction is currently scheduled to be completed by April 2020. The venue is designed to also be the home of various other activities such as concerts, a public park with restrooms, 6,000 square feet of event/meeting space, a kid’s zone and more. It will have a seating capacity of 4,930, with 3,218 fixed seats. Other seating options will include luxury suites, a party deck, berm seating, dugout box seats, a picnic terrace, an outfield bar, right field boxes and 6,000 square feet of club/banquet space.
Rendering courtesy City of Kannapolis.
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