Now, as long as they don't have the MiLB swoop in and try to "Springdale" another club into the new ballpark it will shore up the team (and the league).
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nlfan |
New Ballpark. |
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One of the "underdogs" of the AA will have a new nest in the future. BpD included a newspaper link to the story that the voters in Pensacola approved the referendum that will build the Pels a new ballpark. That will certainly help that club increase attendance in what everyone has described as "small high school-like" facility. The question now is when will the ballpark be ready. My guess is that, in spite of being in "sunny Florida" it probably won't be ready for next season since it's part of a larger project, designs for the ballpark have to be drawn up (unless they have some already in hand), and the time needed to line up construction bids etc.
Now, as long as they don't have the MiLB swoop in and try to "Springdale" another club into the new ballpark it will shore up the team (and the league). |
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hollywood |
Re: New Ballpark. | ||
Quote:That is the "fly in the ointment" for the AAIPB. You need a facility good enough to foster a viable franchise but not too good to attract another league. Kind of mirrors the situation with players. You want a player good enough to win but not so good that he takes off to MLB. ![]() |
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nlfan |
It's an Indy ball issue, if not universal for all the minors | ||
Quote:It's not just the AA, it's the NoL's problem now also. If anything has become clear in the past year it's that the NoL faces competition in nearly any direction it tries to expand. There simply aren't any (viable) open market areas left where other leagues (affiliated or indy) don't/won't face competition. Alberta was an exception, but it also has to prove itself. Another change for the NoL, as other I believe have pointed out, is that the NoL is not likely to get any more "big, shiny new ballparks." Whether one looks a Pensacola, Springdale, or Marion, the situation is one of major competition between leagues. More situations like Wichita (like Edmonton and Calgary) are the likely future of most of the leagues. Once established they may, like the FL, be able to upgrade replace facilities, but that takes time and the ability to establish long term relationships/commitments with/from the community. |
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hollywood |
No doubt ... | ||
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I am actually surprised at the number of places that have built minor league parks at public expense.
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nlfan |
Community pride... | ||
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It's a matter of community pride and interest --and sometimes (often?) the threat of leaving. At that stage it becomes a matter of what the sport/club mean to the taxpayers and how much they're willing to support it with their tax dollars.
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Timd033 |
Re: New Ballpark. | ||
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Meeting this Friday with the four Master Planners to make their pitch as to why they should oversee the construction of the Maritime Park. After one is selected, the fun begins. Groundbreaking, mud flying, the signs of progress are upon us here in Pensacola!
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911chris |
park info from a new user. | ||
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New user here hoping to contribute.
Noticed nothing had been posted for awhile on Pelican Park or the whole maritime park project. The park still seems to be getting alot of resistance but is slowly moving forward, for anyone interested updates and info can be found here . There is also a press conference by Quint Studer who is not only the Pels owner but a major financial contributor to the project on the Pels official site, which brings an interesting note in that there is a large amount of private monies going into this project to offset the amount of public money used. Hopefully for anyone interested that will help you out. I personally look forward to posting more and learning on these forums as well as getting to know some of you. |
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nlfan |
New opposition to ballpark | ||
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A story from BPD discusses "new opposition"
for the new ballpark in Pensacola. Their summary mentions that there has been little progress on the project, cost projections are rising and the current
economic situation may make loans considerably more difficult. They also note the opposition is strong from the Pensacola News Journal which has an editorial
requesting to "Cancel the baseball
stadium." Kevin & Co.'s link to it notes that the editorial is, in part, "very innacurate."
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nlfan |
Final Approval | ||
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It took a couple years and faced new scrutiny (compounded with the economic downturn) but BPD reports that The Community Maritime Park (it's official "new name?") was
approved by the city of Pensacola. BPD suspects the stadium will be ready for the 2011 season.
That's probably the safe estimate though the site itself (which I saw last year in the photo below) didn't appear to have a lot of prep work needed (other than utilities?). |
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SteveT |
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I think Pensacola could be a good market if this ballpark is as sweet as it sounds.. Lets seethe final product though!
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nlfan |
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I haven't heard anything new on the construction front. Of course, other than site prep, Pensacola is so far south that they could start very late in the
fall and still complete a ballpark in time for opening day 2010 (unlike locations up here).
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turfnsport |
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The groundbreaking ceremony is slated for Sept 17!
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nlfan |
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Alright. Good to know it's a "go."
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nlfan |
Groundbreaking next week, Sept. 17 | ||
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BPD included this update yesterday and the Pels
have an official press release about
the ballpark groundbreaking.
Like other ballparks that should be starting soon, there are some details left out like the final design (according to BPD). The Pels' release says "Construction of the park development will begin promptly on Friday, September 18." So they're supposed to be be starting the work though they don't know exactly what they're building? |
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Wilson Zett |
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It looks like this one actually will be built. I hear that Pensacola would like to make a play for an affiliated AA team in the Southern League. Would
probably make good business sense for them if they could get it done. There are some very weak drawing Southern League teams right now, so the timing might be
good for them if they go that route.
Last Edited By: Wilson Zett
24-Oct-09 19:32:13.
Edited 1 times.
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JohnU11 |
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So .... let me follow the dots ... if Pensacola leaves the AA for affiliated ball, then some of the numbers change.
Hmmm ... |
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nlfan |
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This is an old rumor about the Pels. I seriously doubt it since affiliated ball is usually one of the things clubs use to help get a ballpark in the first
place.
And, while on this topic, the Pels have a growing collection of construction photos. UN-like certain ballpark efforts (past and present) this is exactly what happen when a new ballpark is underway in the "web-enabled world of today." Photo from Wednesday, October 14: |
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Wilson Zett |
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According to the attendance rankings at ballparkbiz.com… http://sbvteam.com.ismmed...Rankings%20-%20FINAL.pdf
…the Southern League has some very weak drawing teams. It has the bottom three of all the AA level clubs:
Out of 267 rankings-
Huntsville Stars 204 1,513
W. Tenn. Diamond Jaxx 166 2,059
Miss. Braves 122 2,996
A new park on the bay must present an awfully appealing prospect to those badly under performing clubs-especially to the owners of the Huntsville Stars, who play in this place, known as the "mausoleum".
Last Edited By: Wilson Zett
25-Oct-09 11:29:35.
Edited 1 times.
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Wilson Zett |
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nlfan |
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Low attendance figures aren't enough. You have to have reasonable exit options from existing leases and assurances of the min. attendance figures to cover
expenses. The existing host cities will likely put up a fight and may work to upgrade facilities if possible (like happened in Wichita).
There could be a jump, but that would have to happen on a longer term plan. I might take a change of ownership that's willing to give up on the AA the independence owners enjoy in it. There also may be contractual obligations with the AA and/or team owners relating to any such changes. |
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nlfan |
Another good sign... Bonds Sold in 30 hours | ||
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OSC has a press release on the sale of the
bonds to cover the cost of building Maritime Park in Pensacola. What that means is that the money to build the ballpark will be in place this
month
"On Dec. 21, the funds should be almost immediately available for us to spend," commented Pensacola City Manager Al Coby. Compared to other financial deals, Pensacola's is one with clear visibility. It's great that the dedicated fans of the "Pels" will have a great, bay-front ballpark (and can leave "Camp Pelican"). |
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