Cubs, City Of Mesa Will Begin Construction On New Spring Training Facility July 11

The city of Mesa, Ariz., and the Cubs yesterday announced a July 11 ground-breaking event to officially kick off the construction of the team's new spring training facility. The city and the Cubs also announced that they are close to an agreement to make the complex the new home for Arizona State Univ.'s baseball program. The $99M ballpark will have a video board and shaded seats (Cubs). In Phoenix, Jeff Metcalfe notes construction is "scheduled to be completed by Dec. 1, 2013," and both the Cubs and ASU "will begin play at the new stadium in February 2014." The ballpark will have a "capacity of 15,000 including up to 4,000 grass seating, suites and party decks." Cubs Exec VP/Community Affairs Mike Lufrano said the facility "will provide the best fan experience in spring training and offer world-class training and development for our players year-round" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 5/10).