Hundreds of frigid Southern Nevadans cheered Friday’s groundbreaking for the Las Vegas Ballpark, a 150-million-dollar stadium to be built in Downtown Summerlin.
Baseball fans joined business and political leaders to mark the ceremonial start of construction on the future home of the Las Vegas 51s. Several speakers said the event’s large turnout despite temperatures in the 30s and brisk winds demonstrated community support for the project. Organizers estimated the crowd at more than 500.
David Weinreb, CEO of the Howard Hughes Corporation, which owns the 51s and Downtown Summerlin, said the new ballpark joins the Vegas Golden Knights and the NFL’s Raiders as sports enterprises that are transforming Las Vegas.
The Triple-A Las Vegas 51s currently play at Cashman Field, an aging stadium in downtown Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Ballpark will provide more amenities for fans and better facilities for players when it opens in the far west valley in time for the 2019 season.