The Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies are moving to some pretty swank surroundings in Spring Training 2011, if the renderings released by HKS are any indication. We have lots of renderings of the new Phoenix-area camp set to open next year. We suspect fans of both teams will be thrilled with the results.
The complex continues the theme established by HKS in its design for Camelback Ranch-Glendale but ends up something unique, with a ballpark in the center of an easily accessible complex of playing fields, clubhouses and public spaces.
The 140-acre spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies is the first training facility built on Native American land. Owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the complex consists of separate training facilities and clubhouses accommodating each team as well as an 11,000-seat central stadium. Opening February 1, 2011, the project is located at Loop 101 and Indian Bend Road, on Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community land.
According to Mo Stein, FAIA, principal and director of HKS’s Phoenix office, Salt River Fields will be active 365 days a year. “The Diamondbacks and Rockies will have a baseball presence for training at all levels as well as community activities including youth camps, community events, festivals and retreats – boosting the local economy year round.”
“This is the most uniquely designed facility in all of baseball,” said D-backs’ President & CEO Derrick Hall. “It exudes friendliness and comfort, which was our intention from the outset. We preach fan-friendliness every day at Chase Field and are proud to know that the same approach will be present at our new spring training complex.”“HKS has taken our desire to design an environment that maximizes the fan experience with a baseball development plan and made it a reality,” said Rockies’ Vice President of Ballpark Operations Kevin Kahn. “The layout of Salt River Fields at Talking Stick allows our fans to easily navigate the beautiful facility and lets us put in place a process for player development that we’ve only been able to dream about.”
The Community’s theme for the ball park is “Two Teams – Two Tribes – One Home.”
The two teams housed in the venue are the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies: the two tribes are the Pima and Maricopa tribes which comprise the Community.
“Our Pima ancestors, the Huhugam, used posts hewn from mesquite trees, with willow and arrowweed branches to build large ramadas that created shade from the hot desert sun,” said SRPMIC President Diane Enos. “These shade structures were important centers for daily life, like cooking, weaving or visiting. Today, we are taking this ramada to new heights at Salt River Fields with the soaring roof structure that will shade our new stadium.”
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