Yahoo Sports See Golden Park’s nearly 100 year history as Columbus stadium prepares to host newest team
Golden Park has been put under a magnifying glass as it becomes the centerpiece of the Atlanta Braves’ decision to move its Double-A baseball team to Columbus.
The $50 million renovation project for the ballpark, approved by Columbus City Council, is underway and will be completed next year.
The park, recently renamed Synovus Park, has long served as a local attraction: The stadium was first built in 1926, and first served as the home to the Columbus Foxes.
The Foxes were one of many teams to play in front of Columbus fans. Golden Park was home to the Columbus Cardinals of the South Atlantic League, as well as four Southern League teams: the Columbus Confederate Yankees, the Columbus White Sox, the Columbus Astros and the Columbus Mudcats. The Columbus RedStixx of the South Atlantic League called the ballpark home, as did the South Georgia Waves. The Columbus Wood Bats of the Great South League played in Golden Park. The Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots and the Chattahoochee Monsters, both of the Sunbelt League, had played at Golden Park in the 2020s.
The venue has also been home to special events, including the Sunbelt League All-Star Game.
The stadium has undergone multiple renovations, including a complete refurbish in 1996.
What will Columbus’ Synovus Park look like after upgrades?
As the stadium approaches its centennial, the developers have big plans for how renovations will turn out.
The $50 million renovation will feature “a state-of the art stadium club,” says Mississippi Braves general manager Pete Laven.
The stadium will have 4,000 to 5,000 seats once upgrades are complete, Laven previously told the Ledger-Enquirer. Golden Park previously was a 3,500-seat facility.
The stadium renovations are expected to be completed in time for the beginning of the Double-A Braves’ 2025 season, which starts in April.
Beyond the stadium itself, city leaders are hopeful the upgrades will bring development on neighboring lots. Officials have touted an estimate that says up to $350 million in private investment could fill the city for mixed-use spaces around the stadium. The city hasn’t yet opened requests for proposals and it’s unclear what types of businesses would go in around the ballpark.
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