The previous Loeb Stadium, standing at the same location from 1940 to 2019, was also home to the Aviators and the Bronchos.[8][9] At the conclusion of the 2019 Prospect League season, the old stadium was closed and demolished to make way for construction of the current stadium.[4]
Construction
The $20 million project was paid for using economic development income tax (EDIT) rather than property taxes.[5] The old stadium's configuration was flipped, placing home plate in what had been center field.[4][10] The previous seating area was removed and made part of Columbian Park. New suites and outdoor group seating areas were added. The stadium's grass playing surface was replaced with a synthetic turf, allowing for additional types of events, and the playing surface was lowered by seven feet, allowing for improved sightlines from all stadium seats.[5] The seating capacity was decreased from 3,500 to 2,600.[1][5]
History
Loeb Stadium opened on March 31, 2021 with its first event being a men's baseball game between Jefferson High School and Central Catholic.[1] In the stadium's first year, the Aviators played for the league championship at home, losing to the Cape Catfish on August 12, 2021.[11] The first soccer game at Loeb Stadium on August 18, 2021 between the women's teams of Jefferson High School and Central Catholic.[12]
