This week, the Fredericksburg City Council gave final approvals to a new ballpark that is slated to open for the relocating Potomac Nationals (High A; Carolina League) in 2020.
Last month, the P-Nats held a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new ballpark that will be constructed in Fredericksburg’s Celebrate Virginia South development. The development and shared-use agreement relating to the $35 million ballpark was approved by the city council in November, with three contingencies that had to be fulfilled.
Those contingencies were finalized in a 5-0 vote at the council’s meeting on Tuesday, allowing the P-Nats and the city to seal the deal on the plan. More from the Free-Lance Star:
The three contingencies were a ground lease and title commitment, a binding loan commitment letter, and the approvals required by the Carolina League, Minor League Baseball, and Major League Baseball so the club can relocate to Fredericksburg from Prince William County.
Bill Freehling, the city’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism director, said the club will issue bonds for the stadium project through the Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority. The EDA approved revenue bonds in a total amount not to exceed $39,850,000 on Monday, and will receive an annual fee that will start at $35,000, and then decline as the loan is paid down.
“The club expects to begin construction in a few months,” Freehling said.
In addition, the organization has launched a name the team contest, a process that will eventually lead to a new name that takes effect when the club moves to Fredericksburg. The 2019 season is slated to mark the P-Nats’ last at Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, VA. The franchise originally opened the ballpark in 1984 as the Prince William Pirates.
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