The Orioles’ Double-A affiliate Chesapeake Baysox announced plans for $50 million renovations to their home of Prince George’s Stadium on Wednesday, laying out a deadline of 2026 for the use of state funds to design and upgrade their 31-year-old ballpark.
Chesapeake, which rebranded from the Bowie Baysox earlier this offseason, is targeting upgrades that address deficiencies identified by Major League Baseball as part of its 2021 restructuring of the minor leagues. The stadium will also get two large scoreboards in center field ahead of this season. Renovations are not expected to disrupt the Baysox’ playing schedules.
The $50 million appropriated for the renovations represents a quarter of the budget established by the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) in 2022 for construction work on sports entertainment facilities across the state — separate from the $1.2 billion in bonds allocated for the Orioles and Ravens to upgrade their stadiums. The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), which owns the stadium, will help oversee the project.
“We are thrilled to partner with M-NCPPC and MSA to deliver these much-needed improvements to Prince George’s Stadium,” Greg Baroni, CEO and managing partner of the Baysox ownership group Attain Sports, said in a statement.
“This investment not only ensures that the Chesapeake Baysox have a world-class ballpark to call home, but also strengthens the stadium’s role as a centerpiece of family entertainment and economic growth in Bowie and the greater Chesapeake Bay region. With these planned upgrades, Prince George’s Stadium is poised to continue its legacy as a premiere destination for fans and a cornerstone of the community.”
Attain Sports purchased the team from former owner Ken Young in 2022 and has an ownership portfolio that includes Orioles affiliate High-A Aberdeen and MLB Draft League member Frederick Keys. The company’s lease for Prince George’s Stadium runs through the 2032 season with options to extend the deal through 2042.
Construction is expected to begin in March with the goal of wrapping up the project in 2026. The construction and real estate firm Gilbane was selected to build the renovations with EwingCole as design partner.
Canopy Team, the Baltimore-based design and development firm co-founded by former Orioles vice president of planning and development Janet Marie Smith, will assist in the design process. Smith helped oversee the original construction of Camden Yards.
“Prince George’s Stadium has been a cherished gathering place for families, fans, and the community for over 30 years, and these renovations mark an exciting new chapter in its history,” Peter A. Shapiro, chair of the Prince George’s County Planning Board and M-NCPPC, said in a statement.
“This project reflects our commitment to enhancing the quality of life for our residents by delivering state-of-the-art amenities and preserving this beloved venue as a hub for sports, entertainment, and community pride. We are proud to work alongside our partners to ensure that Prince George’s Stadium continues to inspire and bring people together for generations to come.”
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