Emily Abrams
Guest Reporter

Valentine’s Day proved to be about more than candy and flowers for the City of Grand Junction. On Feb. 14, renovations for Stocker Stadium and Suplizio Field were unveiled.
The 2011 Junior College World Series (JUCO) tournament renovation construction will begin with a completion deadline of early 2012, according to the City of Grand Junction.
Plans call for entry to the stadium through the main gate to remain the same, but access to the stands for baseball and football will be different. A concourse will take fans up ramps for easy access to new stadium seating. In addition to replacing the current grandstands on both sides, a hospitality area will seat 200 people above a dual-sided press box. Fans with disabilities will be accommodated with the addition of a mezzanine level. An elevator will take fans to this new area. An improved dugout will replace the current one for baseball games. Concession stands and restrooms will be relocated to beneath the new stands.
Jamie Hamilton, president of the Grand Junction Baseball Committee approached the city council in spring 2010 for approval of this $8.3 million project. Hamilton said there were a few council members that needed to be persuaded to support the project.
“But once they saw that there were no tax dollars involved, the vote was unanimous,” Hamilton said.
During a city council meeting on Sept. 13, City Manager Laurie Kadrich said, “There is such a great need for this facility. It’s used for many events and may have the potential for more events with these improvements.”
Stocker Stadium and Suplizio Field are home to Mesa State College and local high school sports, JUCO, various athletic competitions, graduations and Fourth of July celebrations.
To pay for the project, a $7.3 million bond issued by the city will enable renovation to begin. The project compelled the Junior College Athletic Association to sign a contract to keep JUCO in Grand Junction for the next 25 years. JUCO will pay $300,000 per year during the contracted 25 years for bond repayment to the city.
Colorado Lottery proceeds, the Grand Junction Parks Improvement Advising Board and community partners will aid in financing the project. Hamilton wouldn’t release names of private donors, but said, “The Grand Junction Baseball committee and the Grand Junction Lions Club will help raise the remaining $1 million.”
Questions and criticism from the community about the construction and design of the renovation have begun to surface. In 2007, new turf was installed on the football field costing $850,000. Several community members have expressed concern over the impact of construction on this relatively new improvement. According to Hamilton, contracting crews will be working around the edge of the pool side of Lincoln Park.
In response to negative remarks made about the design of the hospitality/press box, Hamilton said, “Some people have nothing better to do in their lives but offer criticism. I challenge you to look at Coors Field, Colorado State University and Mile High Stadium. This particular architect has done over 100 designs of stadiums. In the end, they can criticize if they want. It’s not coming out of their tax dollars.”
According to the Grand Junction City Council, creating recreational amenities will benefit a large percentage of Grand Junction’s citizens, bringing the city one step closer to fulfilling its mission of being the most livable city west of the Rockies.
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eabrams@mesastate.edu