A new video board has been installed in the outfield at 121 Financial Ballpark. The stadium's renovation project is called Project Next. | Steven Ponson, WJCT News 89.9
Published on February 28, 2024 at 4:38 pm
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121 Financial Ballpark in Downtown Jacksonville is undergoing its first major renovation since the ballpark opened in 2003.
On Tuesday, Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp owner Ken Babby announced more details on what the team is calling Project Next. He said it’s a $31.8 million project that will transform the ballpark.
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“Our favorite day of the year is always opening day, so we’ll have to wait a few more weeks for that, but today was really a long time coming as we got a chance to announce these projects,” Babby said.
He described three projects: a new multilevel building in right field, a new center field main entrance and enhanced club space behind home plate.
The building in right field will include a team store accessible from Georgia Street and the Jumbo Shrimp’s team offices. It also will have climate-controlled spaces that will be used for special events and during game day.
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To make room for the building, the bleachers in right field have been removed. Babby said construction is expected to begin in coming weeks.
The club space behind home plate will be a space that can be used during game day and for meetings, receptions, and non-baseball events, since it will be accessible from A. Philip Randolph Boulevard.
Babby said these projects are funded by $31.8 million in city funds.
All the projects are scheduled to be completed by the start of the 2025 Jumbo Shrimp season, which typically begins at the end of March or early April.
Baseball fans won’t have to wait long to enjoy some renovations. Starting this season, there will be fans along the concourse that will increase airflow and cool down the ballpark during the hot summer months.
Babby said installing cooling fans was the No. 1 improvement suggestion the team has heard to improve the game day experience. The addition of the building in right field also will provide more areas where fans can go to cool down in air conditioning, Babby said.
“We think that’s really important. It’s hot here in July and August. We’ve learned that and know that, and I think it’s important to give people those opportunities,” Babby said.
A new video board also has been installed in the outfield. It’s 20% larger than the previous one and has a higher resolution. There also are new ribbon video boards along the first and third base sides of the concourse.
Upgrades to the ballpark were needed as part of the Jumbo Shrimp’s move from a AA minor league baseball team to a AAA team. They started playing as a AAA team in 2021.
Mayor Donna Deegan said the renovations will help pave the way for other development projects that are either planned or already underway in the sports complex area of Downtown.
“The team continues to show its commitment to Jacksonville. The combination of the team’s lease extension through March of 2043 and improvements at the ballpark shows the true partnership that they have with our city,” Deegan said.
The first pitch of the Jumbo Shrimp season will be March 29 at home.
Lead image: A new video board has been installed in the outfield at 121 Financial Ballpark. The stadium’s renovation project is called Project Next. | Steven Ponson, WJCT News 89.9
