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It may be a year before the Charlotte Knights’ first pitch uptown, but in coming weeks the stadium will begin rising in its new home.
This week, crews put up the first steel beams. They’ve been working on the Third Ward site since the fall, including pouring the concrete foundation for BB&T Ballpark.
Knights vice president Dan Rajkowski on Tuesday called the raising of steel beams a “monumental event for us.”
“When you’re erecting the steel, you will really see this ballpark come to life,” Rajkowski said.
The first steel beams have been put up in what will be the visitors clubhouse. In the coming weeks, more will go up near the first-base line, home dugout, concourse and other areas until the general shape of the 10,000-seat stadium is complete.
Rajkowski said construction on the $54 million project is on schedule and on budget. Work is expected to be “substantially complete” by year’s end with the Knights set to begin playing uptown in 2014.
The team will kick off its final season in Fort Mill, S.C., next month, but Rajkowski said many eyes are already looking ahead to 2014.
The team has offered past season ticket holders a chance to choose seats they’d like in the new stadium. Anyone who buys season tickets for the 2013 season in Fort Mill also will be given priority for tickets before sales for 2014 open to the general public in June.
The team plans to announce more details in the next week or so about season ticket plans.
April Bethea
