June 8, 200917 yr MIAMI -- After more than a decade of negotiating and waiting, a date to begin construction on the Marlins' new retractable-roof ballpark has been set. In an exclusive interview with MLB.com, team president David Samson announced on Monday that the ceremonial groundbreaking will take place on July 18, the Saturday after the All-Star break. Festivities at the new site -- on the Orange Bowl grounds in the Little Havana section of Miami -- is scheduled to get under way at 10 a.m. ET and last until noon. The public is invited. "We encourage all fans to come to the site," Samson said. "They will witness history." Groundbreaking will launch construction of the 37,000-seat stadium that is scheduled to open in 2012. "There is going to be a ceremony. There will be activities for fans to do," Samson said. "There will be dirt dug. It is an official beginning to the construction." Technically, workers will be on the Orange Bowl grounds to start building on July 1. The first few weeks, however, will be devoted to preparing the area for building. The July 18 ceremony will take place hours before the Marlins face the Phillies that night at Land Shark Stadium, the club's home until the new park is ready. "The fact is construction does begin on July 1," Samson said. "But the first 17 days, what you will see, it's called demolition and grade. They will grade the site, and get it ready for digging, if you will. The digging will take place around July 16, 17, 18 or 19. "We have to get the site completely ready to be built. You'll see trailers on site. You'll see workers on site, starting July 1." Groundbreaking will take place nearly four months after Miami-Dade County commissioners finalized the stadium deal on March 23. It's been a long road to reach this point for the organization, which began play in 1993. Three separate owners all tried to get a new ballpark built. Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria purchased the team in 2002, and the process of building the park is weeks away from becoming reality. "[Groundbreaking] is a day that our whole organization has envisioned since Feb. 15, 2002," said Samson, citing the specific date Loria took over the team. As an organization, the Marlins view the official groundbreaking as one of the top days in the history of the franchise. Currently, on marlins.com, fans can track developments on the construction site by viewing the New Ballpark Webcam. The camera was installed recently and it will remain online until the Marlins move into the facility in 2012. Right now, there are four flag poles on the site, representing where the bases will be. "It will not look like an abandoned site, but any stretch," Samson said of groundbreaking day. "We love winning World Series, and we want to keep winning World Series. That is for sure. But when you are talking about a new ballpark, you're talking about saving the franchise." Expected to be on hand for groundbreaking will be South Florida elected officials and representatives from Major League Baseball. One final financial hurdle must be cleared before the groundbreaking. In mid June, Miami-Dade County officials will begin the sale of bonds backed by tourist tax dollars to pay for the new ballpark. This formality is common with any new stadium financing, and Samson says everything is moving along smoothly on the bond ratings front. "The bonds have been rated. They're all A-plus or above," Samson said. "Now, the county will be going to market within the next week to two weeks, and everyone feels confident. "The market has been much healthier than it's been in a long time. We are as confident as ever that everything is fine." Flamarlins.com
June 8, 200917 yr That's our wedding day! Looks like it's a good day!! You guys should blow off that wedding thing, go to the groundbreaking! OH MY GOD, EVEN BETTER! HAVE YOUR WEDDING AT THE GROUNDBREAKING!
June 8, 200917 yr That's our wedding day! Looks like it's a good day!! You guys should blow off that wedding thing, go to the groundbreaking! OH MY GOD, EVEN BETTER! HAVE YOUR WEDDING AT THE GROUNDBREAKING! when the shovels hit the dirt...its as good as an "i do"!!!!
June 9, 200917 yr That's our wedding day! Looks like it's a good day!! You guys should blow off that wedding thing, go to the groundbreaking! OH MY GOD, EVEN BETTER! HAVE YOUR WEDDING AT THE GROUNDBREAKING! LOL Probably kinda late for that. Plans have been made, invitations out, places reserved/rented, etc... BUT Renew your vows sometime down the road at the new pond.
June 9, 200917 yr No doubt we will be there. Been waiting for this for too long to miss the ceremony. BUT Home vs the Phillies that night. Means driving to Little Havana, driving home after so the wife can get ready for work, then driving to Joe Robbie for the game, and then driving to Boynton and home after that. Guess I should change the oil on her car Friday. Great timing on the announcement. Quote from the PBP..."During a rainy week, the Marlins have averaged just 10,852 over the first 8 games of their homestand. They entered Monday next-to-last in attendance, averaging 17,221 over 29 games, just ahead of Pittsburgh (16,588)." Down to 17,049 now. But of course that's only 9 games. Dosen't speak well for the other 21 home games.
June 9, 200917 yr LOL Probably kinda late for that. Plans have been made, invitations out, places reserved/rented, etc... BUT Renew your vows sometime down the road at the new pond. Yea, everything is pretty much done. A vow renewal sounds nice. lol
June 25, 200917 yr Ugh. This is going to be a hard day for me. But I'm probably going to end up attending this. The same day, there's a fishing tournament that I planned on being a part of. Then another forum I'm a member of is having their annual "east coast bash" up north which just so happened to land on the same day, plus the ground breaking. What else can possibly be going on the same day?
June 25, 200917 yr Ugh. This is going to be a hard day for me. But I'm probably going to end up attending this. The same day, there's a fishing tournament that I planned on being a part of. Then another forum I'm a member of is having their annual "east coast bash" up north which just so happened to land on the same day, plus the ground breaking. What else can possibly be going on the same day? let me know for sure if you're gonna go. I'm down to ride if you do.
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