Knights break ground on Uptown Ballpark

Posted September 14, 2012 4:07 pm | Filed under Local News
By

Manning Kimmel | WRHI.com
The Charlotte Knights today broke ground on the new 3rd Ward BB&T Ballpark in uptown Charlotte.

After years of lawsuits, the Knights garnered millions in support from public and private sources earlier this year, setting sail for a 2014 season in the Queen City.

Center City Partners chairman Michael Smith says plans for the site go much further than the ballpark itself.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Knights Manager Dan Rajkowski says they’re wasting no time in starting construction.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Smith tells WRHI the project is a result of a public-private partnership.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Rajkowski says that fighting the legal hurdles over the last few years has been incredibly stressful, but support from the Knights’ owners and elected officials kept the fire going.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The Knights will play their final season in Fort Mill next year, with first pitch at the new uptown facility set for April 2014. The Knights have played in Fort Mill since 1990.