Shaw Park
| The Fishbowl | |
 | |
| Former names |
Canwest Global Park (1999–2008) Canwest Park (2008–2011) |
|---|---|
| Location |
One Portage Avenue East Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Owner | Sam Katz |
| Capacity | 7,461 (baseball) |
| Field size |
Left field: 325 ft (99 m) Center field: 400 ft (122 m) Right field: 325 ft (99 m) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Opened | May 24, 1999 |
| Expanded | 2000, 2003 |
| Architect | Sink Combs Dethlefs |
| Tenants | |
|
Winnipeg Goldeyes (NL) 1999–2010 Winnipeg Goldeyes (AA) 2011-present Winnipeg Wesmen (NAIA) 2012-present[1] | |
Shaw Park, formerly CanWest Park, is a baseball stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It is located adjacent to The Forks National Historic Site, near the city's downtown, and is home to the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association.
Features
Shaw Park has a seating capacity of 7,481, as well as 30 luxury skysuites, a picnic area, and an open patio overlooking the field from the right field corner. An Indian cuisine restaurant located on the third floor provides patrons a great view of the field while enjoying their meal. A Goldeyes retail store and the baseball club's offices are also located within the ballpark.
The playing field has a natural grass surface and a traditional dirt infield. The outfield dimensions are symmetrical, with distances of 325 feet from home plate to each foul pole and 400 feet to straightaway centerfield. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights and Esplanade Riel bridge are visible in the distance beyond the outfield fence. The Red River flows northward beyond the left field fence, on the far side of Waterfront Drive. Passing trains are frequent, as the ballpark is built inside a curve of the main CN Rail line running through downtown Winnipeg.
History
The ballpark, originally named CanWest Global Park, opened on May 24, 1999, replacing Winnipeg Stadium as the home of the Goldeyes and the city's premier baseball facility. The ballpark was built in three phases. The first phase saw the stands along the third base side completed, but extending only halfway down the first base side, giving the stadium a seating capacity of 6,140. The second phase, completed in 2000, saw the first base stands partially extended, increasing seating capacity to 6,300, and the addition of the skysuites and concession space. The right field stands, patio, and restaurant were completed as part of the final phase in 2003. As part of this expansion, the City of Winnipeg was required to reroute Pioneer and Water Avenues.[2]
Prior to its completion, locally based firm Mind Computers had acquired the naming rights to the ballpark; however, the agreement fell through and Winnipeg-based CanWest Global stepped in to purchase the naming rights. The facility was renamed Canwest Park after the media company rebranded in 2008.[2]
Shaw Communications acquired the ballpark's naming rights through its acquisition of Canwest's broadcasting assets from bankruptcy court in 2010. The facility was renamed Shaw Park prior to the 2011 season.[3][4]
Major events
The ballpark served as the baseball venue for the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg. The host Canadian squad captured the bronze medal, their best finish ever. Cuba won the gold medal, defeating the United States in the championship game. A number of future and former Major League players participated, including Mark Mulder, Brad Penny, José Contreras, Craig Paquette, and Adam Kennedy. The baseball tournament was a qualifier for the 2000 Summer Olympics. [5]
Outside of baseball, Shaw Park is occasionally used as an outdoor concert venue, having hosted top Canadian artists such as The Guess Who and The Tragically Hip.[2]
References
- ↑ "Wesmen To Play The Goldeyes". University of Winnipeg. February 15, 2012.
- 1 2 3 Home Run: The History of the Winnipeg Goldeyes and CanWest Global Park
- ↑ Martin Cash (2010-11-04). "Canwest name swept aside". Retrieved 2010-11-04.
- ↑ Kirbyson, Geoff (January 11, 2011). "Canwest fades from city skyline".
- ↑ "1999 Pan American Games". BaseballReference.com. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
External links
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Winnipeg Stadium |
Home of the Winnipeg Goldeyes 1999 – current |
Succeeded by incumbent |
| Preceded by Yogi Berra Stadium |
Host of the NoL All-Star Game CanWest Global Park 2001 |
Succeeded by Stade Municipal |
| Preceded by Newman Outdoor Field |
Host of the NoL All-Star Game Canwest Park 2008 |
Succeeded by Silver Cross Field |
| Preceded by Lawrence–Dumont Stadium 2010 |
Host of the AAB All-Star Game Shaw Park 2014 |
Succeeded by future |
| Current ballparks in the American Association | ||
|---|---|---|
| North Division | Central Division | South Division |
| CHS Field | CommunityAmerica Ballpark | Amarillo National Bank Sox Stadium |
| Newman Outdoor Field | Haymarket Park | Joe Becker Stadium |
| Shaw Park | Lewis and Clark Park | Lawrence–Dumont Stadium |
| Sioux Falls Stadium | U.S. Steel Yard | QuikTrip Park |
| Uni-Trade Stadium | ||
Coordinates: 49°53′37.79″N 97°7′59.93″W / 49.8938306°N 97.1333139°W