Burlington Reporter

Baseball stadiums bustle during the summer as fans fill the stands to watch their local teams compete on the field, but Burlington wants to turn its ballpark into more of a year-round draw. 

Renovations that will start in 2023 are moving forward at Burlington Athletic Stadium, and the budget has increased to $2.6 million instead of the original $1.95 million as the city looks to capitalize on the prospect of hosting additional events there.

“The project goal … is to enhance the social experience for people at the ballpark and to create more opportunities for events outside the season,” Burlington’s Assistant Manager Nolan Kirkman said in a Ballpark Digest article. “So, we’re looking at a shaded structure, a fully functional kitchen, restrooms, and multiple levels where you can socialize.” 

The renovations will add a three-tiered deck down the first-place line, featuring a bar and entertainment space for year-round events. 

Kirkman acknowledged that the plan he recently pitched to the city council would cost the city $2.6 million to complete, so he also presented two competing proposals in the event that the council wanted to keep its costs closer to the original target.

One alternative would reduce the price to $2.3 million, as it would dispense with many of the project’s aesthetic flourishes. The other choice, which eliminates plans for a raised platform and reduces the footprint of the in-house kitchen, would cost closer to $2 million.

The council seemed inclined to go with the higher end option, as that would make it a jewel for housing other events.

If it goes on as planned, the ballpark will have a look that compares with the classic Carolina grandstand, with a large roof and the main concessions tucked under the grandstand