Construction continues on a new downtown Gastonia, NC ballpark, which is slated to open for an independent Atlantic League team and other events in 2021.
Gastonia officials have been planning the new ballpark as part of a downtown development plan dubbed the Franklin Urban Sports and Entertainment (FUSE) District, a 16-acre redevelopment project. At the center of that initiative is a multiuse facility that will host the Atlantic League team, but is also being designed to accommodate a variety of other events, including concerts, soccer, lacrosse, and football.
Construction work has been taking place in recent months, with the goal of completing the facility in time for the 2021 Atlantic League season. While the construction process has been met with challenging weather conditions thus far, with heavy rainfall hitting the area in recent weeks, city and project officials say that the work is moving along. That message was shared Monday, when an update was given on the project. More from the Gaston Gazette:
“We’re pretty much where we need to be,” answered Marcus White of Rodgers Builders, who is serving as site superintendent. “We’re at the starting point for the foundation and the walls. Soon, you’ll be seeing lots of steel.”
White and Kathy Noe, site project manager, as well as Gastonia City Manager Michael People and other city staff were on hand at the construction site Monday afternoon to provide a quick update on the stadium’s progress.
After an extremely hot and dry September and October, the last six weeks have brought a lot of rain to Gaston County, but, White said, “We have plans in place to deal with the rain as effectively as possible.”
When the Gastonia club begins play, it will mark the Atlantic League’s second team in North Carolina, joining the High Point Rockers. The Rockers opened a new downtown ballpark, BB&T Point, earlier this year.
Rendering courtesy Pendulum Studio.
RELATED STORIES: Downtown Gastonia Ballpark Project Underway; Atlantic League Could Land in New Gastonia Ballpark; Grizzlies Not Guaranteed Use of Proposed Gastonia Ballpark; Latest Details Presented on New Gastonia Ballpark; Design of Proposed Gastonia Ballpark Takes Shape; New Gastonia Ballpark Pitched for 2020 Debut; Gastonia to Vote on Architect for Grizzlies’ Ballpark; Gastonia Moving Forward on Ballpark Discussions; New Gastonia Ballpark Planning Continues; Gastonia Grizzlies Continue Ballpark Pitch; Grizzlies Continue Ballpark Planning; City Votes to Acquire Land for Grizzlies Ballpark; Gastonia Unveils $15M Ballpark Plan