Overview

In partnership with the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, Buncombe County Government and the Asheville Tourists Baseball Club, the City of Asheville is spearheading a significant renovation project of McCormick Field.
 
Bird’s eye view design rendering of McCormick Field capital improvements:

 

Happening Now

Construction will kickoff in September 2024.

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Background

In partnership with the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, Buncombe County Government and the Asheville Tourists Baseball Club, the City of Asheville is spearheading a significant renovation project of McCormick Field. The results of the restoration project will include bringing the facility up to current Major League Baseball Player Development League (minor leagues) Standards. Additionally the improvements will allow the facility to host non-baseball events, with flexible space to host events 12 months a year allowing greater access to all members of our community.  Components of the project include:
  • Expansion of the existing ticketing building for new ticketing team store facilities
  • Home team clubhouse improvements, including new female locker rooms and upgraded weight spaces, restrooms, kitchen and dining areas
  • Video board/scoreboard on the outfield wall 
  • Accessible ramp and expanded concourse at the main entrance
 
Through neighborhood feedback, the City understands that traffic and parking around events at both McCormick Field and Memorial Stadium are the greatest concern moving forward with this project.  As part of the conditional zoning approval, a Traffic & Parking Plan was created and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.  City and Asheville Tourists staff created this parking plan after meeting with neighborhood groups and collecting feedback through an online survey in October 2023.  

 

Funding Sources

In total, the project is estimated to cost $38.5 Million, with a total expense over the life of the debt service of $55.6 Million.  The City of Asheville’s share of this expense is $18.5M over 20 years.  

Funding for this project from each of the partner organizations is utilized via a Debt Service Model and detailed below.  

Partner Amount
Team $468,750/year, 20 years (average), plus $1 million for purchase of new video board
County $250,000/year, 20 years
TDA $1.95 million Upfront Grant
$1.4 million/year, 15 years
City

$1 million Fund Balance Allocation

$875,000/year, 20 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timeline

2023

  • March 14: City Council adopted a resolution at their regular meeting to commit to bringing McCormick Field into compliance with Major League Baseball facility standards (meeting minutes)
  • October 10:  Traffic & Parking Plan feedback survey closed
  • October 24:  Conditional zoning and contract with selected Construction Manager at Risk both approved by Asheville City Council at their regular meeting (meeting minutes)

2024

  • May 21 & June 13:  Public meetings with surrounding neighbors to present the final design and provide updates
  • Summer: City Council will consider the construction contract at a regular meeting
  • September: Construction kick off

2025

  • The Tourists baseball season will occur alongside construction

2026

  • Spring: Project completion before the baseball season begins

 

Supporting Documents

Existing Site Plan

Traffic & Parking Plan

Email Updates (subscribe above)

Contact Information

Chris Corl, Director
Community and Regional Entertainment Facilities
828-259-5452
ccorl@ashevillenc.gov

Dustin Clemens, Capital Projects Division Manager
Capital Management
828-575-3851
dclemens@ashevillenc.gov 

 

Start Date

September 2024

Completion Date

March 2026