Before Reno's Triple-A baseball stadium broke ground in February, 2008, there was Reno Fire Department's Station 1, a couple of run down motels, abandoned railroad tracks, and empty lots. Then along came SK Baseball and things haven't been the same since. I don't know the details of the deal, but with the possible exception of demolishing a perfectly good firehouse, what's transforming downtown Reno at the corner of 2nd Street and Evans Avenue looks like a good thing and will be a major contribution to the ongoing redevelopment of the city's core.
New Team Name - Reno Aces
Logo image courtesy Reno Aces and SK Baseball
After waiting all summer, Reno baseball fans finally learned the name of our new Triple-A baseball team - the Reno Aces. It was chosen from over 3,500 entries in the team's Name the Team contest. The name was announced on 9/23/08.
Stuart Katzoff, Managing Partner of the Reno Aces
Photo © Stan White
At an unveiling ceremony in the Siena Hotel Casino in Reno, SK Baseball managing partner Stuart Katzoff announced the new Reno team's name - Reno Aces. At the same time, he revealed the team's new logo.
Ground Breaking for Reno's Triple-A Baseball Stadium
Photo © Stan White
On February 25, 2008, Reno Mayor Bob Cashell (r), other local and state officials, and representatives of SK Baseball, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Pacific Coast League, gathered for the official ground breaking ceremony at the site of Reno's new Triple-A baseball stadium and surrounding entertainment district.
Demolishing Reno's Fire Station 1
Photo © Stan White
When built out, the project will include the baseball stadium, a new hotel, and a shopping and entertainment district designed for walking. All this will be next to the Truckee River, a couple of blocks east of Virginia Street.
Construction Crews Tear Down Reno's Fire Station 1
Photo © Stan White
City of Reno Baseball Stadium Project Information web page includes information about the city's role in the project and a review of the economic impacts surrounding the venture. If you would like to get a real time view of the construction, check out the Baseball Stadium Webcam. From everything I've heard, the project is on schedule with the first game to be played in April, 2009.
Remnants of Reno's Fire Station 1
Photo © Stan White
SK Baseball is bringing an existing Triple-A team, the Tucson Sidewinders, to play in the new ballpark. The Sidewinders' affiliation with the big league Arizona Diamondback remains intact and will move to Reno with the team.
Workers Making Modifications to 2nd Street
Photo © Stan White
The Sidewinder name, however, will not move to Reno. A new name was announced on 9/23/08 - Reno Aces. It was the winner from over 3,500 entries in the team's Name the Team Contest that ran from May to June, 2008.
Construction Supervisors Inspect Baseball Stadium Progress
Photo © Stan White
To keep up with team news, check out Reno Ballpark Update, the unofficial fan website (not affiliated with SK Baseball).
Moving Lots of Dirt at Reno's Triple-A Baseball Stadium
Photo © Stan White
Minor League Baseball has a Pacific Coast League website with information about the new Reno team as well as the other teams in the league.
Crew Works on the Concrete Foundation for Reno's Triple-A Baseball Stadium
Photo © Stan White
If that's not enough, you can keep up with the chatter at the Official Blog of Reno's Pacific Coast League Baseball Team.
New Triple-A Baseball Stadium Will Add to Reno's Skyline
Photo © Stan White
The baseball stadium project is revitalizing a corner of downtown Reno that had long been a backwater of empty lots and rundown motels. When the Mizpah Hotel burned and was torn down in 2006, this area was really forlorn and in need of the major overhaul it is getting.
