PRESS RELEASE – The next chapter of baseball in Lexington County is here as representatives from the Blowfish, Lexington County Council and Lexington Recreation & Aging Commission broke ground today on the new collegiate baseball stadium at “Wildcat Hollow.”
L to R: Bruce Todd (RB Todd Engineers) Barb Haller (Quackenbush Architects) Mike Rozbitzky (MAR Construction) Katrina Shealy (SC Senator 23rd District) Johnny Jeffcoat (Lexington County Council) Vicki Shanahan (Blowfish Owner) Kelly Evans (Blowfish GM) Bill Shanahan (Blowfish Owner) Todd Attwater (SC House of Reps District 87) Steve MacDougal (Mayor of Town of Lexington) Dan Cannon (Lexington Recreation & Aging Comission)
[Read more and watch news report here from WLTX 19]
The ground breaking officially begins the construction on a multi-purpose facility set to open in spring of 2015. The newly crowned “Lexington County Baseball Stadium” will be a venue for family entertainment, designed to host and attract, not only Blowfish baseball, but state and regional tournaments, All-Star games, concerts, festivals and local/regional events. “Today is a very special day for Blowfish Baseball, but even more so for Lexington County,” Blowfish Owner Bill Shanahan said. “The stadium is a tremendous plus for all citizens of Lexington County, and we are thankful to partner in this exciting new project.”
The stadium was designed by Quakenbush Architect + Planners of Columbia and will be constructed under the direction of M.A.R Construction based in Lexington. Shanahan and Company Sports Management will market the facility year round for Lexington County.
“The fan’s experience was the driving force behind the design of the new Lexington County Baseball Stadium,” said Doug Quackenbush of Quackenbush Architects + Planners.” An intimate, family-oriented, community-centered ballpark that provides the spectator with a variety of ways to enjoy a baseball game is the goal. We worked directly with Randy Gibson (Lexington Recreation) and Bill Shanahan (Lexington County Blowfish) to design a multipurpose facility on the existing site considering both an aggressive schedule and modest budget. We are excited to see the project under construction.”
The 15-acre area is designed with four of the nation’s most famous ballparks in mind, incorporating field dimensions from Fenway Park (RF 302ft), Wrigley Field (CF 394ft), Yankee Stadium (LF 318) and Dodger Stadium (HP 55ft). Amenities of the new stadium include an extra-wide concourse, “Wrigley Field style” box seats, a covered grandstand, outfield berm seating, an air-conditioned Stadium Club, a spacious picnic area and a wiffle-ball park for kids of all ages.
“M.A.R. Construction is very proud and honored to be a part of this project,” Mike Rozbitsky of M.A.R Construction said. “We have been a Lexington County Company for over 35 years. Many of our employees and the companies that will be working on this project are from Lexington County. This will be a great facility for us to show case why Lexington County is a great place to live, work and play.”
About Blowfish Baseball
Entering into its 10th season, Blowfish Baseball is a proud member of the Coastal Plain League. The CPL is the hottest summer collegiate baseball league featuring 15 teams across Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Teams are comprised of some of the best players from Division I, II, NAIA and NJCAA. Blowfish alumni include players from the South Carolina Gamecocks, Clemson, The Citadel, College of Charleston, Francis Marion and other collegiate teams from across the state and the nation.
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