As they compete for a long-term RE/MAX Field lease, the Edmonton Prospects (summer collegiate; Western Canada Baseball League) are pitching a proposal that includes ballpark upgrades and surrounding development.
Earlier this year, Edmonton officials declined an option to extend their lease with the Prospects to cover the 2020 season, deciding instead to open the facility to bids for a new 10-year lease. Two contenders known to be in the mix to lease the facility going forward include Prospects ownership, along with a separate group led by former Edmonton Oiler Dr. Randy Gregg.
The PROSPECTS VISION: Fieldhouse / Fitness / Parking Garage for 700V / Public Market / Plaza / Dorm Res / Retail / Commercial / Micro Brewery / Restaurants / Gondola. #nothingtohide @GlobalEdmonton @ctvedmonton @Edmontonsun pic.twitter.com/ZDK9TF18AK
— Edmonton Prospects (@EdmProspects) August 14, 2019
On Wednesday, the Prospects tweeted a rendering (shown above) along with some details on their future plans for RE/MAX Field and the surrounding area. The concept calls for improvements to the ballpark itself, including LED lighting and new infield turf, along with development on surrounding land that could include a fieldhouse, restaurants, a brewery, and more. Ahead of a Thursday meeting with city officials to formally present the plan, the Prospects sound confident in their vision. More from CTV News Edmonton:
Patrick Cassidy, the team’s managing partner, says the group’s pitch calls for replacement turf on the infield as well as new LED stadium lights and scoreboard, with an estimated cost of $1.6 million.
“I feel confident,” said Cassidy. “I think we’re the best option in terms of baseball and in terms of some of the ideas we have for the ballpark.
In a tweet on Wednesday, the team outlined an ambitious vision for the surrounding area that includes a microbrewery, restaurants and gondola.
Cassidy is scheduled to meet with the city on Thursday over the future of the stadium the Prospects have called home since 2016.
Based on what has been reported in the Edmonton press thus far, the pitch from Gregg’s group calls for RE/MAX Field to continue accommodating some baseball-related uses, but also focuses on hosting more event dates by featuring a broader array of programming, including non-sporting events. The city is expected to make a decision by the middle of next month.
Formerly known as Telus Field, RE/MAX Field opened in 1995 as an affiliated Minor League Baseball facility for the Edmonton Trappers (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League). It has not hosted an affiliated MiLB team since the Trappers moved to Round Rock, TX after the 2004 season, but has been more recently used for summer-collegiate action by the Prospects.
Rendering courtesy Edmonton Prospects.
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