Space Coast Stadium
| Space Coast Stadium | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location |
5800 Stadium Parkway Viera, FL 32940 |
| Coordinates | 28°15′25″N 80°44′22″W / 28.25694°N 80.73944°W |
| Broke ground | April 29, 1993[1] |
| Opened | March 2, 1994[2] |
| Owner | Brevard County |
| Operator | Brevard County |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction cost |
$6.2 million ($9.76 million in 2014 dollars[ 1]) |
| Architect | DLR Group |
| General contractor | Miorelli Construction, Inc.[3] |
| Capacity | 8,100 |
| Field dimensions |
Left Field: 340 ft (104 m) Center Field: 404 ft (123 m) Right Field: 340 ft (104 m) |
| Tenants | |
|
Brevard County Manatees (FSL) (1994-present) Washington Nationals (MLB) (spring training) (2005-present) GCL Nationals (GCL) (2005-present) Montreal Expos (MLB) (spring training) (2003-2004) Florida Marlins (MLB) (spring training) (1994-2002) | |
Space Coast Stadium is a baseball stadium that was completed before the 1994 season as part of a plan to bring spring training for the (then new) Florida Marlins to Viera, Florida.
In 2002, as part of an agreement involving the sale of the Montreal Expos by Jeffrey Loria, the Marlins swapped training sites with the Expos, who had been training in Jupiter, Florida. The Expos held two seasons of training at Space Coast in 2003 and 2004 before their reformation as the Washington Nationals, who have conducted training there since their inaugural season in 2005.
It is also the home of the Brevard County Manatees, a minor league baseball franchise. Occasionally, the Gulf Coast League Nationals also play their home games in this park.
History
President George W. Bush held one of his final campaign rallies for the 2004 Presidential Election here, on Saturday October 23, 2004.
In 2008 the Florida State League All Star Game returned to Space Coast Stadium for the first time in 12 years, with the West Division prevailing over the East Division with a score of 9-3.
The Nationals have held spring training here since 2005. They have played from seven to fifteen games per season in the stadium. Game attendance has averaged from 3,433 in 2011, to 4,690 in 2010.[4] The Nationals have contracted to make annual $765,000 stadium-construction bond payments through March 2013. Their lease to play in the stadium expires in December 2012.[5]
Since 1997 the county has spent $7.8 million on capital improvements; $2.8 million in 2006-7.[5]
The 33.4 acres (13.5 ha) stadium site was evaluated by the county at $26.5 million.[5]
Operations
About $5 million worth of improvements have been made to the stadium from 2005-2010. This was funded by Brevard County's tourist tax.[6]
References
- ↑ Calkins, Geoff (April 2, 1994). '+NEW+SPRING+STADIUM+SEEMED+TO+HAVE+SOMETHING+FOR+EVERYONE.&pqatl=google "Having a Blast at Space Coast Marlins' New Spring Stadium Seemed to Have Something for Everyone". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
- ↑ Kaegel, Dick (March 5, 1994). "Royals Become Park's First Loser Marlins Pound Appier in Inaugural Game for Space Coast Stadium". Kansas City Star. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
- ↑ Edes, Gordon (January 11, 1995). "Spring Park Called Safe Despite Rumors". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
- ↑ DeCotis, Mark (March 13, 2011). "Baseball's Uncertain Future". Florida Today (Melbourne, Florida). pp. 1A.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Neale, Rick (March 25, 2011). "Manager's mission: Keep Nats in Viera". Florida Today (Melbourne, Florida). pp. 1A.
- ↑ Neale, Rick (March 31, 2010). "Nats Will Tour Lee County Ballpark". Melbourne, Florida: Florida Today. pp. 1A.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Space Coast Stadium. |
- Official stadium website
- Details on Space Coast Stadium & Nationals Spring Training
- Space Coast Stadium Views - Ball Parks of the Minor Leagues
- Tips about Space Coast Stadium and Nationals Spring Training
- Space Coast Office of Tourism
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