Work Begins on Baseball Stadium in Rockland

Batter Up in 2011: A rendering of the $19 million “Grand Slam Ballpark” that will accommodate 3,500 patrons iin Ramapo, NY.

By JOHN JORDAN

RAMAPO, NY – Site-clearing work began earlier this month on a $20-million plus project to bring minor league baseball to Rockland County.

The Town of Ramapo and an entity it established, Ramapo Local Development Corp., are developing a 3,500-seat stadium called—at least for now—“Grand Slam Ballpark” on a 61-acre site in Pomona. The facility is being built adjacent to Route 44 on Veteran’s Memorial Highway. A total of approximately 1,200 parking spaces will be available at the site.

Phil Tisi, assistant to the Ramapo Town Supervisor, told CONSTRUCTION NEWS in a telephone interview that Holt Construction Corp. of Pearl River, NY, is the general contractor on the project. He also noted that all bids let in connection with the stadium construction would have a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) component. DLR Group, headquartered in Omaha, NE is the architect for the ballpark.

The construction cost of the stadium has been estimated at approximately $19 million. Factoring in bonding costs, debt service and capitalized interest, the total cost will be roughly $22.6 million.

On June 23, the Town of Ramapo announced that it had reached an agreement with Bottom 9 Baseball, LLC to assemble a team to play home games at the ballpark. The project is expected to be complete for the yet to be named team to throw out the fi rst pitch on its fi rst season in 2011. The team is currently conducting a contest asking the public to submit team name suggestions. The ballclub is expected to compete in the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball.

The ownership group of Bottom 9 Baseball Inc. includes former major league ballplayer and now YES Network analyst John Flaherty, who is a resident of Pearl River, NY. Other partners in the venture include Stephen Mulvey, whose family was a part owner of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers for more than three generations, and Rockland resident Michael Aglialoro, president of the Clarkstown Education Foundation and a trustee of the Kips Bay Boys/Girls Club.

According to a study commissioned by Ramapo Local Development Corp., prepared by Fishkind & Associates of Orlando, FL, the project will generate an estimated 158 construction jobs with a total construction payroll of $6.6 million. The total countywide economic output from the construction of Grand Slam Ballpark is estimated at $29.2 million.

The report, issued in June, also stated that the stadium is projected to attract more than 160,000 visitors per year during its 47 home games. The facilities will also host numerous special events, games, concerts and local patronage. On a full-time basis, the ballpark will directly employ an estimated 35 people and will have local expenditures of $2.2 million per year.

When announcing the agreement with the team ownership last month, Town of Ramapo Supervisor Christopher P. St. Lawrence said, “The ownership group is comprised of individuals who have deep roots in New York’s winning baseball history and a proven record of enhancing the excitement that America’s pastime provides. With their extensive experience in the baseball industry and their connection and commitment to the Rockland County community, this ownership lineup will employ a winning strategy to ensure that professional baseball in the Town of Ramapo will be enormously successful.”

He later added, “This project is an economic home run for Rockland County, which will generate revenue for the Town of Ramapo, and create excitement and great entertainment for baseball fans and families throughout the Hudson Valley and the greater New York area.”

This is part of the July 1, 2010 online edition of Construction News.

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