Meritus Park

Stadium in Hagerstown, Maryland

39°38′26″N 77°43′26″W / 39.64056°N 77.72389°W / 39.64056; -77.72389OwnerHagerstown-Washington County Industrial Foundation (CHIEF)[1]OperatorHagerstown-Washington County Industrial Foundation (CHIEF)[1]Capacity3,500 (Sports)
4,000 (Other events)Record attendance3,982 (May 29, 2024)[2]ConstructionBroke groundOctober 18, 2022[3]Built2022–2024OpenedMay 4, 2024 (2024-05-04)[6]Construction cost$69.5 million[4]ArchitectPendulum[1]BuilderTurner Construction[5]Project managerMaryland Stadium Authority[5]TenantsHagerstown Flying Boxcars (ALPB) 2024WebsiteOfficial website

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

The facility was built primarily for the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars, a team in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, but it can also host other sports, outdoor concerts, festivals and community events.[4][7][8]

The Maryland Stadium Authority oversaw development of the facility. Turner Construction designed and built it.[5] It is owned and operated by the Hagerstown-Washington County Industrial Foundation (CHIEF).[1]

The $69.5 million development budget mostly came from $59.5 million in bonds issued by the stadium authority, to 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.[3] The facility opened on May 4, 2024, at less than full capacity for the first six home games of the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars.[6]

The initial plans had the stadium at a capacity of 5,000. This was lowered to better serve non-sporting events.[9] The stadium has 2,800 fixed seats and a total capacity of 3,500 for baseball games and 4,000 for other events.[10][11] The stadium has eight private suites, a beer garden, a bar, and a picnic area.[9]

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.[12][13]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Hagerstown Multi–Use Sports and Events Facility". mdstad.com. Maryland Stadium Authority. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  2. ^ Hagerstown Flying Boxcars (May 29, 2024). "A record crowd of 3982 on education day at Meritus Park". Facebook.
  3. ^ a b 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.
  4. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b 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.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Atlantic League Officially Approves New Team Coming to Hagerstown, Maryland". mdstad.com (Press release). Maryland Stadium Authority. September 1, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  9. ^ a b 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "Flying Boxcars and Meritus Health Announce Partnership". Hagerstown Flying Boxcars. February 14, 2024. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  13. ^ "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.

External links

  • Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
  • "Meritus Park". Hagerstown Flying Boxcars. Retrieved February 14, 2024.

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