JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jumbo Shrimp took the wraps off the most ambitious plans in franchise history, a $31.8 million project that will help take 121Financial Ballpark into the next era of minor league baseball and beyond.
Owner and CEO Ken Babby, along with Mayor Donna Deegan and other area notables announced Project Next on Wednesday morning at the Ballpark. When complete, the stadium will have three significant new areas — the plaza in center field, an enhanced area behind home plate and a multi-level facility in right field — that the city and the franchise hope will benefit even more than just baseball fans. Two of those projects (right field and behind home plate) will be completed next year. The city is funding the $31.8 million project.
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“It’s a significant material investment for the city to stand up and say, ‘We’re putting $31 million into this building,’ the largest, as I’ve said, since the ballpark was originally opened in 2003,” Babby said. “We’re deeply thankful for that public partnership, public-private partnership, and it’s rooted in trust.”
Photo gallery: Take a look at the changes coming to 121 Financial Ballpark
Fans will notice some upgrades when they walk through the gates in 2024. For starters, the team has a new video board that is 20% larger than the previous one. New ribbon boards throughout the stadium bring a sleeker look to stadium graphics, too. Babby said the data provided by fans on their most desired amenity was for airflow and climate control. The first wave of the cooldown will greet fans in the concourses as the Jumbo Shrimp have put numerous fans and cooling devices there to help people get a breeze during the warm summer months.
The larger changes will take place over the next year and beyond.
“There’ll be places in this building where if you look to your left, you have just, I think the best view in the city of the interior of our ballpark, whether you’re at a game or a wedding or a board meeting, day or night, that’s going to be just uniquely special. But if you pivot the other direction, you’re going to see what’s to come and what the Jaguars are working on and the development of the Four Seasons Hotel and the stadium and everything that’s happening along the riverfront,” Babby said. “So, to me, being able to provide that internal-looking view and what we’re trying to create and build for the city and also being able to celebrate Jacksonville beyond just the Jumbo Shrimp, that’s what I’m most excited about.”
The Jumbo Shrimp, the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, averaged 5,114 fans a game in 2023. Babby bought the Jacksonville Suns from Peter Bragan Jr. and his family in 2015 and officially took over the franchise after that season. He renamed the franchise the Jumbo Shrimp in 2016 and has hammered home the same familiar phrase time and again — affordable family fun. The Jumbo Shrimp have hosted movie nights regularly and maintained low ticket prices (select tickets are $5, hot dogs are $2).
“The renovations to the ballpark will be transformational. These updates will reestablish this facility as one of the very best in the nation. They will also pave the way for all of the development on the horizon in and around the city’s sports and entertainment district,” Deegan said.
“We’re proud to have the Jumbo Shrimp in downtown Jacksonville and we continue to be impressed with their commitment to innovation, creativity and providing a range of opportunities and activities for all of the citizens of Jacksonville.”
The team is creating an enhanced club space behind home plate, a massive multi-level building in right field and a center field plaza that general manager Harold Craw dubs the “front porch.” The right-field venue, with the Jaguars’ EverBank Stadium right behind it, promises to be a major addition to the Jumbo Shrimp home.
On the ground floor will be a souvenir store at street level so fans can walk right in and shop. The concourse level will be a venue that Babby thinks could serve as a spot for wedding receptions, a party venue or business luncheons and workshops.
“I mean, we think it’s just a matter of time before that [stadium] deal gets done. And we’ll be right here in the part of it,” Babby said. “The Jaguars have been fabulous partners, the city has been a fabulous partner. So, you know, we’re investing deeply in Jacksonville. We think this is the place to be, the sports complex in particular, is a wonderful place to be and it’s going to be, as the mayor said just moments ago, you’re not going to be able to recognize this place in just a few short years. So, we’re excited to be here and celebrate it today.”