The Eugene Emeralds need a new home. The baseball team and Lane County are considering building a multi-use stadium at the Lane Events Center.
The Emeralds have to move out of PK Park, which they share with the University of Oregon baseball team. They’ve been on the search for a new stadium since Major League Baseball made them a High A team with a longer season. The Lane County Commissioners directed staff to plan for a multi-use stadium for baseball, concerts and community events.
“We believe that this project will be a catalyst for redevelopment at the fairgrounds and really spur some dynamic growth for the future at the fairgrounds,” said Emeralds General Manager Allen Benevides.
Benevides said he’s excited for the Ems to move back into the heart of the city.
“Kind of like when we were at Civic,” he said. “That’s to me the magical part about this whole thing. I never thought that we would have this opportunity—moving back into a neighborhood. That just doesn’t happen anymore.”
Them Emeralds used to play at Civic Stadium on South Willamette Street. But they moved to PK Park in 2009.
The plans for a stadium at the fairgrounds are still in early stages. But lots of fans are rooting for the Ems to stay in Eugene.
Copyright 2021 KLCC.
