Construction crunches as Opening Day approaches at Dutchess County park

There are lifts, excavators, stacks of cardboard boxes, piles of metal sheeting, ladders, buckets and tools all about, but “once we get past the dumpsters, it’s very pretty looking.”

Construction is still well underway in southern Dutchess County to complete phase two of the major upgrades taking place at the county-owned ballpark, Heritage Financial Park, home of the New York Yankees’ High A-affiliate Hudson Valley Renegades in time for Opening Day on April 16, 2024.

The team begins their 66-game season on the road in order for construction crews to finish the work in progress, but once complete, the site will offer year-round amenities in an all-inclusive, upper-level event space paired with upscale seasonal and traditional ballpark fare from a CIA-trained chef, along with a rooftop party deck, our very own little “Green Monster” in left field, and new seating that will offer fans the first-ever chance to catch a home run ball at the stadium.

In addition to the new clubhouse, additional seating options and a new entrance tunnel for the home team off the left field line will allow fans the chance to get autographs and high-fives from up-and-coming players.

The left field wall will also be raised two feet, adding a challenge for hitters, and the chance for fans to catch a homer from a Major League hopeful from the club’s new elevated patio or section of traditional seats. In total, along with the 300 extra spots on the rooftop party deck, the park is expected to expand capacity to accommodate an extra 1,000 people.

Upgrades for players include a new private weight room, new locker rooms, new turf on the field, and a batting tunnel equipped with top tier analytic software. “All the technologies that the Yankees have ordered for this is the highest tech on the market,” Zach Betkowski, general manager of the Renegades, said during a tour of the facilities on Thursday. “If you’re a baseball diehard like a lot of us, it’s fascinating stuff, and if you’re not a big baseball fan, than the club will be the area for you.”

Heritage Financial Park, formerly known as Dutchess Stadium, was built in just three months in 1994 at a cost of just about $8 million. Dutchess County lawmakers allocated $25 million for improvements to the stadium in 2023 for the first major improvements in 30 years.

Sources:

www.hvrenegades.com

https://www.milb.com/hudson-valley/news/building-up-new-clubhouse-expanded-seating-and-amenities-highlight-phase-two-con

This piece was originally posted on March 4, 2024 in the HVNY weekly newsletter. Sign-up for free at https://HVNY.info/sign-up

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