With the words “play ball” announced by Dodger Hall of Fame broadcaster 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, Dodger owner and Chairman Frank McCourt, Dodger Vice Chairman and President Jamie McCourt, Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf, Dodger Hall of Fame broadcaster Jaime Jarrín, Dodger broadcaster Charley Steiner, and White Sox General Manager Ken Williams.
A festive atmosphere, including hot dogs from Glendale’s Dazzo’s Dog House and a seventh-inning stretch, marked the start of construction for the facility. Members of the Arrowhead Little League also 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.
This unprecedented project partners 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:
* The 10,000-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.
