Meritus Park

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Meritus Park
Meritus Park.png
Hagerstown Flying Boxcars vs. Gastonia Honey Hunters (53711788615).jpg
Meritus Park in May 2024
Meritus Park
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Meritus Park
Location in Maryland
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Meritus Park
Location in the United States
Address Hagerstown, Maryland
US
Coordinates 39°38′26″N77°43′26″W / 39.64056°N 77.72389°W / 39.64056; -77.72389
OwnerHagerstown-Washington County Industrial Foundation (CHIEF) [1]
OperatorHagerstown-Washington County Industrial Foundation (CHIEF) [1]
Capacity 3,500 (Sports)
4,000 (Other events)
Construction
Broke groundOctober 18, 2022 [2]
Built2022–2024
OpenedMay 4, 2024 [3]
Construction cost$69.5 million [4]
ArchitectPendulum [1]
Builder Turner Construction [5]
Project manager Maryland Stadium Authority [5]
Tenants
Hagerstown Flying Boxcars (ALPB) 2024 (planned)
Website
Official website

Meritus Park is a multi-purpose stadium under construction in Hagerstown, Maryland. It replaces Hagerstown's old Municipal Stadium which was demolished in 2022.

The facility is being built primarily for the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars, a future team in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, but it is also intended to host other sports, outdoor concerts, festivals and community events. [4] [6] [7]

The Maryland Stadium Authority is overseeing development of the facility. Turner Construction is designing and building it. [5] Upon completion, it will be owned and operated by the Hagerstown-Washington County Industrial Foundation (CHIEF). [1]

The $69.5 million development budget mostly comes from $59.5 million in bonds issued by the stadium authority, which will be paid off with lottery proceeds. The then Maryland governor Larry Hogan budgeted another $8.5 million, and the Maryland General Assembly earmarked $1.5 million in its capital budget. [4]

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 18, 2022. [2] The facility opened on May 4, 2024, at less than full capacity for the first six home games of the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars. [3]

The initial plans had the stadium at a capacity of 5,000. This was lowered to better serve non-sporting events. [8] The stadium will have 2,800 fixed seats and the total capacity will be 3,500 for baseball games and 4,000 for other events. [9] [10] The stadium will also have eight private suites, a beer garden, a bar, and a picnic area. [8]

In February 2024, Meritus Health and the Flying Boxcars announced a partnership that included Meritus Health acquiring the naming rights for the stadium to be called Meritus Park. [11] [12]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Hagerstown Multi–Use Sports and Events Facility". mdstad.com. Maryland Stadium Authority . Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Weingarten, Dwight A. (October 19, 2022). "Play ball? Not yet, but ceremony held for new baseball stadium". The Herald-Mail . Hagerstown, Maryland. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Greene, Julie E. (April 10, 2024). "Hagerstown Flying Boxcars push home opener back a day, limit initial fan capacity". The Herald-Mail . Hagerstown, Maryland. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 McMillion, Dave (March 1, 2022). "New Hagerstown baseball stadium expected to be completed in 2024" . The Herald-Mail . Hagerstown, Maryland. Archived from the original on March 1, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 McMillion, Dave (February 16, 2023). "Hagerstown City Council looking for $1.6 million to make five-story parking deck possible". The Herald-Mail . Hagerstown, Maryland. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  6. ↑ Schweigert, Keith (September 1, 2021). "New baseball team in Hagerstown, MD will join the Atlantic League in 2023". WPMT . York, Pennsylvania . Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Atlantic League Officially Approves New Team Coming to Hagerstown, Maryland". mdstad.com (Press release). Maryland Stadium Authority. September 1, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Belt, Jason; Levitsky, Michael (July 6, 2023). "Hagerstown's new ballpark: Picnic areas, walking paths and high expectations". Capital News Service . Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  9. ↑ Baker, Tamela (March 21, 2024). "Peanuts, cracker jack and beer: Liquor board conditionally approves alcohol at the stadium". The Herald-Mail . Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  10. ↑ Baker, Tamela (September 25, 2023). "Hagerstown's new factory, med school and stadium: Why are these projects 'game-changers'?". The Herald-Mail . Hagerstown, Maryland. Retrieved September 25, 2023. The stadium will have 3,500 seats for games, but will accommodate an audience of 4,000 for concerts.
  11. ↑ "Flying Boxcars and Meritus Health Announce Partnership". Hagerstown Flying Boxcars. February 14, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Meritus Health sponsorship name will adorn new Hagerstown Ballpark". Tri-State Alert. News Talk WEEO 103.7 FM. February 14, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
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