Tag Archives: Tucson Padres
February 8, 2014 · 11:55 am
Ballpark Opening Delayed, Chihuahuas Will Return to Tucson for First Few Home Games
The home opener for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas (Pacific Coast League) has been delayed until April 28 to allow their new ballpark in downtown El Paso (TX) to be completed. Read more here. The Chi-Waz (our new nickname for the team) will play their first home games at Kino Stadium in Tucson (AZ) on April 11-14. Read more here.
Filed under Design & Construction, Lease & Contracts, Market & Location, Stadium Issues
Tagged as Chi-Waz, El Paso Chihuahuas, Kino Stadium, Pacific Coast League, Triple-A, Tucson Padres
Kino Stadium Complex Needs $1.5M Annual Subsidy
Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry said that while public use of Kino Sports Complex continues to grow, the county will have to dedicate roughly $1.5 million a year to maintain current operations. Kino Stadium, located at the complex, is the soon-to-be-former home of the Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League). Read more here.
Filed under Money & Financials, Stadium Issues
Tagged as El Paso Chihuahuas, Kino Sports Complex, Kino Stadium, Pacific Coast League, Pima County (AZ), Triple-A, Tucson (AZ), Tucson Padres
United League Targeting Tucson
It has been extremely quiet on the indy pro United League Baseball front, but that doesn't mean there hasn't been anything going on behind the scenes. The league has submitted a proposal to lease Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson (AZ) starting this season. The ballpark is the soon-t0-be-former home of the Triple-A Tucson Padres/El Paso Chihuahuas (Pacific Coast League). Read more here.
Filed under League & Franchise, Lease & Contracts, Market & Location, Stadium Issues
Tagged as El Paso Chihuahuas, Independent Professional, John Bryant, Reunion Sports LLC, Triple-A, Tucson (AZ), Tucson Padres, United League Baseball
Ovations Awarded El Paso Ballpark Concessions Contract
Florida-based Ovations Food Services has been awarded the concessions contract for the minor league baseball park under construction in Downtown El Paso (TX) for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League). Read more here.
Filed under Food & Beverage, Lease & Contracts
Tagged as El Paso, Mountainstar Sports Group, Ovations Food Services, Pacific Coast League, Triple-A, Tucson Padres
Price for El Paso Ballpark $10 Million More?
MountainStar Sports Group, the owner of the Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League) relocating to El Paso (TX), told city officials on Saturday that the new ballpark under construction in downtown El Paso could cost an additional $10 million to build. Read more here.
Tagged as El Paso, Mountainstar Sports Group, Pacific Coast League, Triple-A, Tucson Padres
T-Pads GM Named Pacific Coast League Executive of the Year
PRESS RELEASE – Tucson Padres General Manager Mike Feder has been named 2013 Pacific Coast League Executive of the Year. The annual award is voted on by league general managers. This is the second PCL Executive of the Year Award for Feder, who also won in 1991 while running the Tucson Toros at Hi Corbett Field. Continue reading →
Filed under Awards & Recognition, Personnel & Operations
Tagged as Executive of the Year, Mike Feder, Pacific Coast League, Triple-A, Tucson Padres
Failure to Find Early Buyers for Bonds Will Jack Up Price of New El Paso Ballpark
The city of El Paso (TX) will reportedly have to spend an extra $17 million on bonds to finance its new downtown ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League) after an initial attempt to sell the debt failed. Read more here.
Tagged as El Paso, Pacific Coast League, Texas, Triple-A, Tucson Padres
New El Paso Ballpark Begins to Take Shape
Wasting no time, construction crews are preparing to lay cement for the main concourse for the new $60.2 million downtown El Paso (TX) ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League). Read more and view photo here.
Change In Interest Rates Drive Up Cost of New El Paso Ballpark
The city of El Paso's (TX) long-term debt for the Downtown ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League) will increase by about $17 million after a change to the interest rates on the bonds to finance it was approved by the El Paso Downtown Development Corp. on Thursday. Read more here.
Tagged as El Paso, Interest Rates, Pacific Coast League, Triple-A, Tucson Padres
June 23, 2013 · 2:41 pm
MountainStar Rejects Personal Guarantee Idea
El Paso (TX) City Council Rep. Eddie Holguin, an opponent of the new downtown ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League), is calling on individual members of MountainStar Sports Group to make personal guarantees for the additional $12.1 million the group agreed to pay toward the project. In a statement, MountainStar officials have rejected the idea. Read more here.
Filed under Lease & Contracts, Money & Financials, Stadium Issues
Nickname Finalists Announced for El Paso Team
MountainStar Sports Groups announced Thursday that the five finalists for the nickname for the Triple-A team coming to El Paso (TX) are the Aardvarks, Buckaroos, Chihuahuas, Desert Gators, Sun Dogs. Read more here. Fans may vote here on the nickname now through midnight June 27.
Tagged as El Paso, Pacific Coast League, Triple-A, Tucson Padres
El Paso Council Approves Higher Ballpark Price Tag
In a 5-3 vote, the El Paso (TX) City Council on Tuesday approved a new price tag of $60.8 million for the design and construction of the new downtown ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League). Read more here.
Filed under Design & Construction, Lease & Contracts, Money & Financials, Stadium Issues
Council to Vote Tuesday on New $60.8 Million Ballpark Contract
The El Paso City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to increase the price tag for the new ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tuscon Padres (Pacific Coast League) by $8-million to pay for additional seating and amenities. Read more here.
MountainStar Sports to Pony Up $12.1 Million More for Ballpark Project
MountainStar Sports Group, the investors bringing a Triple-A baseball team to El Paso next year, will pay $12.1 million more toward the Downtown baseball stadium if an amended contract is approved by the City Council on Tuesday. Read more here.
El Paso Holds Ballpark Groundbreaking Ceremony
About 300 people showed up in downtown El Paso (TX) Thursday for the official groundbreaking for the new ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League). Read more and watch video here.
Today Is Groundbreaking Day for New El Paso Ballpark
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new downtown El Paso (TX) ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League) will take place Thursday at 11 a.m. Read more here.
El Paso Approves $50-Plus Million Ballpark Budget
After a heated argument over budget estimates for the new downtown ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League), the El Paso (TX) City Council voted 5-3 to approve a $52.8 million budget for the project. Read more and view new rendering here.
Cost of New El Paso Ballpark Could Rise by $10M
The cost of the new downtown El Paso (TX) baseball stadium for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League) could increase by $10 million if the City Council approves changes to the construction contract Tuesday — two days before the ballparks' official groundbreaking. Read more here.
El Paso Ballpark Groundbreaking Set for May 30
The city of El Paso and the MountainStar Sports Group announced on Monday that the groundbreaking for the new downtown ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League) will be held on May 30. Read more here.
El Paso Triple-A Baseball Hires GM
MountainStar Sports Group has hired Brad Taylor as the new general manager of the Triple-A club relocating from Tucson (AZ) to El Paso (TX). Taylor is currently the team president and general manager of the Single-A Bowling Green Hot Rods (Midwest League). Read more here.
Filed under Personnel & Operations
Tagged as Bowling Green Hot Rods, Brad Taylor, El Paso, Mountainstar Sports Group, Pacific Coast League, Triple-A, Tucson Padres
El Paso Ballpark Impacting Election Outcomes?
The mayoral and three city council races in El Paso (TX) are headed toward a run0ff election on June 15, as none of the candidates for these offices received a majority of the vote on Saturday. With so many candidates running, it is hard to tell if the new downtown ballpark project played a significant role in the voting. Read more here.
Tagged as El Paso, Elections, Pacific Coast League, Texas, Triple-A, Tucson Padres
El Paso City Hall Comes Down
The 10-story, 34-year-old former El Paso (TX) City Hall building was imploded on Sunday morning to make room for the new ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League). Read more and view photo here. Thanks to Joe Mock for posting the news on Twitter.
Tagged as City Hall, El Paso, Pacific Coast League, Triple-A, Tucson Padres
El Paso Stadium Artists Chosen
The El Paso Public Art Program on Monday announced the three artists chosen to create artwork for the new downtown stadium for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League). Read more here.
El Paso, Union Pacific Reach Deal
The city of El Paso (TX) and Union Pacific Railroad have reached a deal whereby the city will give Union Pacific some property near Union Depot in exchange for a parcel of railroad land abutting the site for the new $50-million ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League). The city council is expected to be presented with the final agreement by April. By this time, the Insights Continue reading →
Filed under Design & Construction, Lease & Contracts, Stadium Issues
Tagged as El Paso, Insights Museum, Pacific Coast League, Triple-A, Tucson Padres, Union Pacific Railroad
First Peek at El Paso Ballpark Renderings
Artist renderings of the new $50-million ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League) were presented to the El Paso City Council Tuesday by Populous, the design firm hired to design the facility. Read more and watch video here. View renderings here.
Tagged as El Paso, Pacific Coast League, Populous, Triple-A, Tucson Padres
Judge Gives OK for Ballpark Bonding
A Texas state judge in Austin has ruled that El Paso officials may proceed with a bond sale to finance construction of a new $50 million ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League). Read more here.
Filed under Legal
February 8, 2013 · 5:02 pm
Judge Keeps Case in State Court, Fines Opponents $5,000
A federal judge in Austin (TX) has ruled that the city of El Paso may continue its bond validation lawsuit in state court so it can press ahead with building the new $50 million ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League). At the same time, the judge sanctioned the anti-ballpark group for its "bad-faith" conduct. Read more here.
Filed under Design & Construction, Legal, Stadium Issues
Legal Maneuver Could Delay Bonds to Build El Paso Ballpark
During a hearing Monday to determine whether the city of El Paso can issue bonds to finance construction of the new $50-million ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League), opponents filed a petition to move the case from state court to federal court. This legal maneuver could delay the issuance of bonds for the project, but it appears the city feels confident enough about winning Continue reading →
Political Giving Riles Ballpark Opponent in El Paso
From our perspective, this is pretty ho-hum, but some like to make hay out of political giving in candidate and referendum campaigns. It is no different in El Paso, where at least one ballpark opponent is raising concerns about contributions by MountainStar Sports Group and others to El Paso Tomorrow, a political action committee (PAC) established to support the referendum for the new ballpark for the relocating Continue reading →
Talking El Paso Ballpark Design
Design elements for the new ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League) are coming together. As conveyed by the El Paso Times, "The design theme will be based on the Union Depot and incorporate architectural details found in the region's historic buildings such as the Kress Building." Read more here. View renderings gallery here. Thanks to John Cerone for the story link.
El Paso Will Seek Ruling to Halt Ballpark Opposition
In order to neutralize the lawsuits and petitions aimed at stopping the demolition of City Hall and building a new downtown ballpark for the Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League), the city of El Paso (TX) plans to file for an expedited declaratory judgment from the courts, which the city hopes will result in a ruling that says the bonds for the new stadium and its associated contracts are valid. Read more here.
Filed under Design & Construction, Lease & Contracts, Legal, Stadium Issues
El Paso Expected to Approve Construction Contract
The El Paso (TX) City Council on Tuesday is expected to award a contract of about $40-million to the general contractor that will oversee the construction of the new downtown ballpark for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League). The council will also consider asking the courts to conclusively rule that the project's financing plan is legal. Read more here.
El Paso Hires Populous to Design New Ballpark
The El Paso City Council voted 6-2 Tuesday to approve a more than $3 million contract with Kansas City-based Populous (formerly HOK) as the designer for the city's new $50 million downtown ballpark for the relocated Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League). Read more here.
Tagged as HOK, Pacific Coast League, Populous, Triple-A, Tucson Padres
City Manager Takes Heat for E-mails
If you don't want information or comments you might make showing up in the newspaper, don't put them in an e-mail. That's a hard lesson El Paso city manager Joyce Wilson has learned after taking heat for e-mail remarks she made in July about critics of the ballpark and the bond referendum. Read more here.
Filed under Legal, Personnel & Operations
Tagged as El Paso, Joyce Wilson, Pacific Coast League, Texas, Triple-A, Tucson Padres
Voters Approve Hotel Tax Funding for New El Paso Ballpark
Voters in El Paso (TX) on Tuesday approved a higher hotel occupancy tax to help finance a new $50 million ballpark for the relocated Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League) owned and operated by MountainStar Sports Group. Read about here.
MountainStar Sports Finalizes Purchase of T-Pads
MountainStar Sports Group has finalized the purchase of the Triple-A Tucson Padres in preparation for the team's move to a new $50 million downtown ballpark in El Paso (TX). Read more and view news clip here. A website has been set up for the team at www.ElPasoTripleA.com.
Filed under League & Franchise, Market & Location
Tagged as Mountainstar Sports Group, Pacific Coast League, Triple-A, Tucson Padres
El Paso Lawsuit Explained
Curious about the details of a lawsuit filed by former Mayor Ray Salazar and others to block the construction of a new $50 million downtown El Paso (TX) ballpark for the soon-to-be relocated Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League)? The Courthouse News Service lays it out for you here. The plaintiffs claim conspiracy and violations of the Voting Rights Act, the City Charter and due process.
Tagged as Former Mayor Ray Salazar, Lawsuit, Pacific Coast League, Triple-A, Tucson Padres
Timetable a Problem for New El Paso Ballpark?
Concerns have been raised that the timetable to build a new downtown ballpark in El Paso for the relocating Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League) and navigate all the pitfalls (including a lawsuit) in time for the 2014 season is unrealistic, but experts disagree. Read more here.
Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta Returning to Kino Stadium
PRESS RELEASE – The Tucson Padres, Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau and Desert Diamond Casinos and Entertainment are bringing the Vamos a Tucson Mexican Baseball Fiesta back to Tucson on October 4-7 at Kino Stadium. Continue reading →
Filed under Conference & Events
Tagged as Kino Stadium, Mexican Baseball Fiesta, Tucson Padres, Vamos A Tucson
MountainStar Moves on T-Pads
MountainStar Sports Group announced Wednesday that they are moving forward with the purchase of the Triple-A Tucson Padres (Pacific Coast League), after the El Paso (TX) City Council approved a ballpark deal with the group last week. Read more here.
Filed under Lease & Contracts, Market & Location