‘A place everyone can enjoy’: Richmond Flying Squirrels reach milestone in new stadium construction

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — After 40 years at The Diamond, the Richmond Flying Squirrels are gearing up for a new chapter with their highly anticipated new home, CarMax Park.

It's just across the street from the old stadium, and on the morning of Friday, Oct. 3, the team marked a significant milestone in the stadium’s construction -- the final piece of sod was laid down.

"We hear it from our fans, we hear from people in the community, just how excited they are," said Flying Squirrels General Manager, Anthony Oppermann.

Construction started last September, but Oppermann said the team can now look ahead to the final stages of construction.

Oppermann noted that next week the crew will focus on adding padding to the outfield walls and installing seat insulation. However the stadium, he emphasized, is more than just a baseball field.

"This is just another part of the process to show what everyone is so excited about," Oppermann said. "It’s about coming in, [and] enjoying a night with friends and family."

He said the multi-use stadium will offer more than 6,000 square feet of interior space, creating ample room for different types of events throughout the year.

The new venue will maintain a similar seating capacity to The Diamond, which held about 9,500 fans. However, Oppermann explained that there will be fewer fixed seats as the 'experience of a baseball game has changed.'

"We’re offering more hospitality spaces, more sociable spaces throughout the ballpark," he said.

The new park will also feature different types of suites, some of which Oppermann said have already sold out.

"CarMax Park is going to be a place that everybody can enjoy," he said.

The Flying Squirrels’ first game at CarMax Park is set to take place in early April of next year, marking the beginning of an exciting new era for the team and Richmond sports fans alike.