The Rocky Mountain Vibes (Rookie; Pioneer League) have a struck a partnership with UCHealth that includes naming rights to UCHealth Park, the team’s newly minted home.
It was revealed recently that the ballpark in Colorado Springs would undergo a name change, as a naming-rights partnership for the former Security Service Field was not renewed after the 2018 season. Ahead of their first game at the facility next month, the Vibes have announced an agreement with UCHealth that results in the ballpark being renamed UCHealth Park.
The new partnership, which includes several elements in addition to naming rights, was announced Wednesday. More from Woodmen Edition:
“This is huge,” said Vibes president and general manager Chris Phillips. “This is a new era in Colorado Springs professional baseball. Teaming up with UCHealth will help create a wonderful ballpark experience for our fans and collectively enhance our positive impact throughout the Pikes Peak region.”
New signage is expected to be in place by the time the Vibes open their home schedule on June 21 against the Grand Junction Rockies….
“Partnering with Memorial Hospital, the only Comprehensive Stroke Center and Level I Trauma Center in all of southern Colorado, gives us the unique ability to inform, educate and improve the overall health of Vibes fans and our broader community,” Phillips said.
In addition to the new stadium name, the partnership will include enhanced game-day experiences for fans, as well as community initiatives to encourage health and wellness. UCHealth patients also will enjoy benefits of the partnership via visits from Vibes VIPs.
UC Health Park was originally completed in 1988 as Sky Sox Stadium, serving as the home of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) through the 2018 season. The newly arrived Vibes will begin play at the ballpark this season, as team owner Elmore Sports Group completed a series of franchise shifts over the offseason. As part of those moves, the Class AA Texas League San Antonio Missions relocated to Amarillo and rebranded as the Amarillo Sod Poodles—opening a new ballpark earlier this month–while the Sky Sox shifted to San Antonio and assumed the Missions name and branding. Colorado Springs became the home of the former Helena Brewers, who announced their switch to the Rocky Mountain Vibes identity in November.
Photo of UC Health Park by Mark Cryan.