Breaking Ground: City Baseball Stadium
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Jun 11, 2011
Story Updated:
Jun 13, 2011
With Laredo's Little Leaguers showing off their skills, City officials along with several special guests broke ground Saturday morning on a project many have been waiting for.
Mark Schuster, of Ventura Sports Group, says, “It’s exciting. It’s going to be a hub of activity for all of Laredo.”
The money was set aside in 2000, and in 2008. Laredo's voters approved to move forward with the construction of the baseball stadium, which will be located right behind the Laredo Energy Arena.
An 18-million dollar project, officials say, will be that and more.
“We're a lot more than baseball. We're going to be doing concerts, boxing, mixed martial arts shows. For that reason, we built a permanent concert stage above the center field wall.”
A capacity of 6 thousand during baseball games, 16 thousand during concerts, along with 21 concession stands, and over 900 parking spaces will be included too.
City Manager Carlos Villarreal says, “Jobs, economic development is the principal focus to have a great ball club for Laredo’s public, not only for Laredo, but Nuevo Laredo, and maybe starting new rivalries playing between teams of both cities.”
Officials say there will be something for everyone.
“It’s great to see kids with bats in their hands and smiles on their faces. We always let the kids run the bases after the game. It’s their field, not our field,” says Schuster.
“The stadium is expected to be complete in one year, just in time for the 2012 baseball season.”
Annette Garcia, Pro 8 News.
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Huh? said on Monday, Jun 13 at 11:14 AM
So let me get this straight, the City is investing in an $18 million dollar stadium to compete with the LEA which is also City owned. Why would you ever compete with yourself? What's going to happen with many of the shows the LEA counts on to sustain itself? Are these shows now going to the baseball stadium? Concerts, Boxing and other events will be booked at the baseball stadium. What will the LEA book now? I just hope whoever will manage and operate the baseball stadium is on the same page with the LEA. Both these places need to make $ so the tax payer will not be left with paying for a bad investment.
68887614Roe said on Monday, Jun 13 at 2:43 PM
The City does not believe in Logic. The LEA will continue to fail. Look at the recent Luis Miguel Concert, only 5,000 fans attended. A little over have the LEA's seats were filled. Sad to say though, I voted for the city to build the baseball stadium, but a $8 Million dollar stadium, not a $18 Million stadium.
68900839Anonymous said on Monday, Jun 13 at 3:29 PM
LEA has something over the stadium. A/C. Without air-conditioning only cool weather events will help in bringing the citizenry to any outing at the stadium. Even with A/C the LEA doesn't attract the promised number of people it purported to bring out.
68903506X OUT said on Monday, Jun 13 at 3:29 PM
I just hope that Xavier Villalon the GM for the LEA has no input at the baseball stadium. If so, all the shows we will see will be Tejano bands and more Latin repeats like Luis Miguel. Where are the Rock bands Villalon? You have not brought anything good since you got here!
68903528Anonymous said on Tuesday, Jun 14 at 2:39 PM
What a shme that the Arena is going down hill ever since the new manager came in. I saw this guy eating at the buffet when the doors opened for a boxing event. Shouldn't he be greeting people once the doors open? I guess he just doesn't care!
68968164Anonymous said on Tuesday, Jun 14 at 4:45 PM
It's always funny to watch these idiots with the shovel getting a photo op. They really look like they have had practice. How dumb!
68977669laredoen said on Wednesday, Jun 15 at 1:21 PM
This stadium should have been built to bring back Los Tecolotes de los dos Laredos. The Tecos were Laredos baseball team...not the Apaches, not the Broncos and not the new team that the mayor plans on bringing in. The Tecos brought our city many memories including several championships and national attention because of the team pleying on both sides of the border. Bring back the Tecos!
69060588Corruption in Laredo said on Tuesday, Jun 21 at 8:01 PM
Carlos Villarreal and Chuy Olivares are pocketing all the money. This is for their private MMA boxing promoting business with Lester Bedford of Ventura Sports. Them 3 along with Gene Belmares are swindling Laredo. Chuy Olivares is the mastermind of this baseball stadium for his personal and for profit use. Follow the money. It goes to Carlos Villarreal and Chuy Olivares. Why would the city manager talk about MMA Boxing at a baseball ceremony? Because it benefits him and Chuy.
69415062Z said on Friday, Jul 1 at 10:15 AM
What is alleged Zeta member doing there with a shovel in his hand for the photo op?
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