Last May, around 300 people attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Triple-A baseball stadium in El Paso, Texas. One year after the first shovels hit the dirt, Southwest University Park has reported over 100,000 through their gates to see the El Paso Chihuahuas, minor league affiliate of the San Diego Padres.
El Paso officially brought MLB-affiliated baseball back to the city for the first time in 10 years on April 28 as the ballpark packed in 9,245 fans to see the Chihuahuas face the Fresno Grizzlies.
The team arrived in the South Texas city after the 2012 purchase of the Pacific Coast League's Tucson Padres for $20 million and construction of the $74-million stadium. The PCL features 16 teams and is the second highest level of professional baseball next to Major League Baseball.
Kansas City-based architects Populous were provided the opportunity to create a new face of baseball in a city that has sported some form or another of professional ball since the 1800s.
“It turned out pretty close to what we talked about,” Designer Mike Sabatini said. “The city's previous park, Cohen Stadium, was kind of out in the suburbs. This a first for the city to bring the ballpark into downtown and have it anchor the entertainment district.”
The stadium, which holds approximately 9,500 fans, was designed to connect fans inside to the downtown area as well as the landscape surrounding the city. The right-field design, inspired by a railroad station nearby, has a see-through fence that allows passersby to get a glimpse of the action.
“The team wanted to make sure this was El Paso's ballpark,” Sabatini said. “So as you walk around the ballpark, you can have views inside. It forms an inside-outside connection.”
The railroad station image is also reflected by two large brick structures towering over the rest of the right-field wall and acting as party deck, restaurant and club area. Including the ones inside the structure, there are a total of 24 suites and four party decks.
Furthering the effort to connect the city with its new structure, close to $1 million was spent on artwork around the ballpark. Murals and stained glass that depict baseball and the development and history of El Paso enhance the atmosphere for fans. Concession areas feature artistic signs, and some advertisements are painted on brick to create an “old ballpark” feel.
While creating a welcoming atmosphere at Southwest University Park was at the top of the team's list, fan comfort in an extremely hot climate was also a top priority. When summer comes along, the temperature clears 100 degrees daily.
“We put the majority of the seats on the third-base side to get as many people as possible in the shade,” Sabatini said. “We tried to design the ballpark to allow air to flow through the stadium. We are hoping it works out with the air movement and shade to keep people cool during those hot summer months.”
Chihuahuas players may have to endure more of the sun than fans as they play summer's games, but the team and architects made sure they were not forgotten in the design. Populous worked with the Padres on the design of the playing field to ensure it would replicate the major league experience.
“The quality of experience for a player is nearly the same as in the major leagues,” Sabatini said. “The training rooms and batting tunnels are similar to a major league stadium; the clubhouse is just a step below and the playing field itself is just as good.”
The stadium, paid for by bonds, and leased by the city to MountainStar Sports Group, took 500,000 man hours to complete, but only a few weeks to become one of the best draws in the PCL. With 15 dates in the books, Southwest University Stadium has the fourth highest attendance, drawing an average of 7,025 per game to the downtown stadium. The Round Rock Express led the league with 8,399 per game.
“It is an interesting crowd,” Sabatini said. “They were excited on opening day. They are very boisterous about having baseball back in El Paso.”
Interviewed for this story: Mike Sabatini, (816) 221-1500