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November
19, 2007 - What
A Day It Was....
Glendale Arizona/COG GDP –
With the words “play ball” announced by Dodger great Vin Scully, the
cities of Glendale and Phoenix broke ground on the Cactus League’s
newest spring training facility. In addition to Mr. Scully, dignitaries on
hand for the much anticipated event included Governor Janet Napolitano,
Mayor Scruggs and Mayor Gordon,
Debbie Johnson of the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority ,
team owners Frank and Jamie
McCourt of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Jerry Reinsdorf of the Chicago
White Sox, Dodger legend Jaime Jarrin and White Sox General Manager Ken
Williams.
 A festive atmosphere abounded as
the crowd was treated to a rendition of the national anthem by world renowned trumpet
player Jesse McGuire (left
w/Vin).
The crowd enjoyed tasty hot dogs from Glendale’s
Dazzo’s Dog House and a seventh inning stretch where
attendees enjoyed singing "Take Me Out To The Ball Park"
along with Vin Scully .
Marking the start of
construction for the facility, members of the Arrowhead Little League
(pictured to right), passed out commemorative baseballs and dignitaries
officially broke ground in a ceremonial shovel dig.
The
site is located at 111th Avenue, west of the Loop 101 between Camelback
Road and Glendale Avenue, and reaches across both Glendale and Phoenix
city borders. The two-team facility will be the new home to the Los
Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox, and in addition to state-of-the-art
baseball facilities, the site will include, residential, restaurant and
retail development, 4-star hotel and 18-hole golf course, developed by
Rightpath Limited Development Group.
Located just across the Loop
101 from Glendale’s Sports and Entertainment District, this project will
complement the existing amenities in the area, providing additional venues
and entertainment options to an area already expected to generate a
regional economic impact of more than $1 billion over the next two
years.
Citizens marveled as this
unprecedented project partnered two of the state’s largest cities
in an effort to benefit an entire region. It will provide baseball fans,
residents and tourists a full array of activities and create economic and
tourism opportunities that will make the region’s newest sports and
entertainment district like no other in the country.
Based on a 2006 Economic Impact
Study conducted by Economic Research Associates (ERA), it is estimated
that moving the Dodgers and White Sox will have a substantial economic
impact for Glendale, Phoenix and the region. It is anticipated that the
economic impact for the region could be as much as $19 million per year.
Details of the project are as follows:
- The10,000-seat stadium, with 3,000 lawn seats
will cost approximately $76 million to build.
- The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority will
provide 2/3 of the funding needed to construct the facility.
- 118,000 sq. feet of major and minor league
clubhouses for the two teams
- Four major league practice fields
- Eight minor league practice fields
- Two practice infields
- The site will include parking to accommodate
5,000 vehicles.
(Submitted
Rendering Courtesy City of Glendale)
For more photos of the new facility, visit Daily Glendale Planet
Sports Archive Below
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Glendale Arizona
Mayor Elaine Scruggs addressed the crowd during the
groundbreaking festivities Monday November 19, 2007. Councilperson
Joyce Clark behind, has the honor of having this beautiful facility
in her 'Yucca District'. |
For more photos of the new facility, visit Daily Glendale Planet
Sports Archive Below |
