Expectations for High Point’s new baseball stadium are sky high among High Point officials who say that things are on track, on schedule and going extremely well.
The stadium project got off to a rocky start in 2017 when the Guilford County Board of Commissioners decided not to go along with High Point’s request for help funding it; however, that’s now a thing of the past and positivity is the only vibe coming out of the project at this point.
Earlier this year, the team announced its name – the Rockers – and last week, team logos were revealed. Now backers are getting ready for the home opener on Thursday, May 2, 2019.
High Point Rockers Baseball Assistant General Manager Christian Heimall said there has been a strong interest in tickets.
“The nice weather the last couple of days has people thinking baseball,” Heimall said.
The team’s backers have been dead set on having the first pitch in the Spring of 2019. Considering all the rain we have had this year it’s amazing that the project is still rocking along. Heimall said the work has been proceeding well in recent weeks.
“Walls have gone up inside the ballpark where the team locker rooms, showers, front offices, and storage areas are,” Heimall said. “Framing has also been placed on the concourse area where concession stands, public restrooms, and suites are located – with dry wall and sheet rock expected to be installed in the coming weeks.”
The stadium, named BB&T Point, will cost about $36 million and is expected to attract much more development to downtown High Point.
This week the team is holding a “Black Friday” promotion on tickets, including season tickets. The special promotion tickets went on sale at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 19 and the sale will conclude at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 26.
Former High Point Mayor Bill Bencini said he and others in that city have been delighted with the progress of the team and the stadium, and he added that baseball is bringing a new energy to High Point.
He said he’s still disappointed that the Guilford County commissioners didn’t go along with the financing plan that would have been based on extra tax revenues from increased property values in downtown High Point.
When asked about the stadium project, Guilford County Commissioner Hank Henning said recently that High Point officials had stated publicly that they did not need the financing from the county.
Bencini said that comment refers to an off the cuff remark of one city official but said High Point still did want to see the county participate.
