Answer Woman: When will renovations begin at Asheville's McCormick Field?
ASHEVILLE - Today's burning question is about Asheville's McCormick Field and when the multi-million-dollar renovation project will actually begin. Have other questions for our staff? Email Executive Editor Karen Chávez at KChavez@citizentimes.com and your question could appear in an upcoming column.
Question: When are renovations to McCormick Field expected to begin and to be completed?
Answer: The packed room, unanimous Asheville City Council vote to support funding to bring city-owned McCormick Field into compliance with new league facility standards, securing the future of minor league baseball in Asheville, felt like a significant hurdle, but it was far from the last.
In the subsequent months, the project clinched funding promises from the Tourism Development Authority, the baseball club and Buncombe County, and a conditional zoning approval from the city.
“Since that go-ahead, we’ve been full steam ahead planning, designing and getting ready to break ground in September," said Asheville Tourists Owner Brian DeWine.
Renovations are set to begin immediately following the end of this season, Chris Corl, the city's director of Community and Regional Entertainment Facilities, confirmed May 21.
The last home stand this season runs from Aug. 27-Sept. 1. Pending contractor availability, fans may see staging and other prep work from Aug. 12-26, Corl said.
Sept. 3 will be the true beginning of onsite work as the team departs for the season, and the construction company moves in.
Built in 1924, the stadium last saw renovations in 1992. Owned by the city, it's the third-oldest minor league baseball stadium in the country. The project in its entirety carries a $38.5 million price tag, $30 million of which represents construction costs.
That's a $1 million increase from the original project budget, Corl said, thanks to an additional contribution from the team.
The renovations are intended to bring the facility up to new requirements set by Major League Baseball, which is calling the shots on facility upgrades for 120 affiliated minor league ballclubs nationwide. This includes a number of player-facing changes, DeWine said, like new LED lighting, a new home and visitor's clubhouse, facilities for female coaches and umpires, and a new playing surface.
Among the biggest changes fans will notice is a new front entrance and concourse.
Right now, DeWine said, "I've got 14-feet to get 4,000 people in (to the stadium) in an hour."
Upgrades also include a new video board. The current board was made in 2005 and it's practically an "antique" in the industry, he added.
Additionally, the improvements will allow the facility to host non-baseball events, with flexible space to hold events for the entire year.
Construction will continue throughout the off-season and run throughout the 2025 baseball season, Corl said, wrapping up during the 2025-26 off-season. As DeWine puts it, "the baseball season starts, ready or not."
The project is planned for completion and ready for opening day in April 2026.
There's been "relief and excitement" since last year's major approvals, he said, with an energy from fans that's carried over to this season. Last year the team saw the largest single-game attendance average ever, he said, at about 3,000 visitors per game.
Corl said the scope of the project has been reduced compared to conditional zoning approval sought in fall 2023.
"The project continues to meet all of the necessary requirements of Major League Baseball's player development standards, the goals and requirements of our grant funding partners and the event operational needs of both the City & the Tourists," he said via email.
More: $30M McCormick Field renovation OK'd by Asheville Council: Read the parking plan
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Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Answer Woman: When will the McCormick Field renovations begin?
