Augusta, GA -- The season opener at the GreenJackets' stadium brought in many fans. This stadium has been a part of Augusta for years, but a new project could make this facility history.
Cal Ripken Jr., owner, Augusta GreenJackets: “Our timetable and goal is to have a shovel in the ground in the fall.”
Thursday afternoon, Mayor Deke Copenhaver and team owner Cal Ripken, Jr, announced plans for a brand new stadium. But, some fans say there’s no need for it.
Tasha Jay, Augusta: "If it ain't broke don't fix it.”
Tom Fryman, Augusta: “It's a good thing, but I hate seeing this old one, since they spent all this money to rebuilt it. I hate for it not to be used because it's got a lot of history here."
The stadium’s new home would be in downtown Augusta, at the Augusta Botanical Gardens, and its comes with a $35 million price tag. Mayor Copenhaver says apart from baseball, shops and restaurants would be built there to help generate revenue.
Tom Fryman, Augusta: “That's a great idea. That's what the major leagues do now. I've been to Turner Field and they've got a lot in there.”
The project would make downtown a center for tourist attraction. But the idea of traffic does not sit well with some.
Tasha Jay: “Driving downtown it will be congested. I can't imagine them being able to keep the up keep in a downtown setting.”
Mayor Copenhaver says the next phase to the project is to put the finishing touches on the financing of the stadium.
Money for this proposed project would not really affect tax payers because the funding would come in part by bonds. The proposed project is scheduled to open in spring, 2011.
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