On Wednesday, local leaders and officials kicked off an 18-month, $38.5 million renovation to the 100-year old McCormick field.
The renovation project is the largest, single construction project ever undertaken by the city in terms of dollar value, according to a press release from the Tourists.
“It was a long time coming,” Buncombe County Commissioner Amanda Edwards said. “I had been working with Brian DeWine (Tourists owner) for probably about the last two and a half years getting to understand the challenges of the field in the stadium and what his vision was for the future. It is just sheer joy and excitement that it was a long time coming and excited to get it started and be celebrating very soon.”
The City of Asheville, Buncombe County, the Tourism Development Authority and the Tourists organization will fund the renovation.
The upgrades will include expanding the ticketing building, improving the clubhouse and making the concourse more accessible.
As fans walked through the entrance, they were greeted by staff of the Tourists. Many were given free T-shirts.
Most of the people at McCormick Field were sitting in the shade as Wednesday morning’s forecast was scorching hot.
Ted-E and Mr. Moon were walking around, greeting fans as they waited for the ceremony to start.
Several local leaders attended the event, including Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer and Vic Isley of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA).
Manheimer said part of the local government’s role is creating community spaces like the field.
“The local government should make sure there are places in our community where we can come together and enjoy one another and this is one of those places,” she said.
Renovations are set to begin in September, after the conclusion of the current minor league baseball season. The work is projected to finish just in time for Opening Day of the 2026 season.
Once renovated, the field will transition into a year-round facility, according to Manheimer.
“This facility, through this redevelopment, will also transition into a 12-month, year-round facility that will help program for community activities all year long and not just during the baseball season,” she said.
The Tourists organization formerly paid $1 a year to rent the facility. Under the terms of the new lease, the team will pay $450,000 annually and invest $75,000 annually in capital improvements to the facility.
You can preview how McCormick Field will look once renovations are done here.
