RiverHawks break ground on new stadium
Published on May 4, 2004 under Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
LOVES PARK, Ill. â The Rock River Valley's professional baseball team broke ground on its new nest today.
Shovels dug into earth today in a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new ballpark in Loves Park, scheduled to house the team beginning with the 2005 season. More than 300 fans showed up to witness this historic event. The project is planned for a June 1, 2005 completion.
"This achievement was made possible by the continued loyal support of local businesses and our fans," RiverHawks general manager Mike Babcock said.
The stadium, for which naming rights are currently being proposed, is being built on Interstate Drive, off Riverside Drive just east of Interstate 90 and west of the Sportscore complex. Architect Michael Brady of CSHQA of Sacramento, Calif. has designed the facility. Local developer and RiverHawks investor Kurt Carlson is developer and general contractor for the project.
The RiverHawks have played in Marinelli Field since arriving in Rockford for the 2002 season. The 2004 season will be the final year of professional baseball at Marinelli, which opened in 1988.
In addition to 3,546 permanent chair seats in the main seating bowl, six indoor luxury suites on the second level of the park total 108 seats, eight outdoor club suites on the lower level will hold a total of 288. Right-field bleacher seating will accommodate another 150.
Other highlights of the new Loves Park ballpark include: eight indoor luxury boxes; eight outside club suites; two grassy berms, one behind the right-field wall and one along the foul line in left field, ideal for leisurely lounging on a blanket or a lawn chair; a larger team souvenir store; a stadium bar with full beverage service; a spacious picnic and barbecue party area; a children's play area; spacious and plentiful restroom facilities; wide concourses with a view of the field from all concession areas and a state-of-the-art scoreboard with full video capabilities.
Future plans also include the construction of a hotel behind the left-field wall, allowing guests to view RiverHawks games from the comfort of their rooms.
The RiverHawks have been successful both on and off the field, finishing among the top teams in the Frontier League standings in 2002 and 2003 while averaging more than 2,000 fans in each season. They became the first team in Rockford professional baseball history to draw that large an audience and increase its attendance from the first to the second year.
The RiverHawks begin their third season on May 21 at the Windy City ThunderBolts. The âHawks open the home schedule at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, May 25 against the Springfield/Ozark Ducks at Marinelli Field. The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 12th season.
Frontier League Stories from May 4, 2004
- RiverHawks announce exhibition schedule - Rockford RiverHawks
- RiverHawks break ground on new stadium - Rockford RiverHawks
- Wild Things Sign Former Duquesne Pitcher Jim Popp - Washington Wild Things
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