Melaleuca Field
 | |
| Location | 568 West Elva Idaho Falls, Idaho 83406 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 43°30′19″N 112°02′16″W / 43.505161°N 112.037861°W |
| Owner | Elmore Sports Group |
| Operator | Elmore Sports Group |
| Capacity | 3,400 |
| Field size | Left Field: 350 ft (104 m) Center Field: 390 ft (122 m) Right Field: 335 ft (107 m) |
| Surface | Natural Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | October 2006 |
| Opened | June 22, 2007 |
| Construction cost | $5.6 million ($8.23 million in 2024 dollars[1]) |
| Architect | Nielson, Bodily and Associates[2] |
| Structural engineer | ES2 Structural Engineers[2] |
| Services engineer | Havlovick Engineering Services, Inc.[2] |
| General contractor | Bateman-Hall, Inc.[2] |
| Tenants | |
| Idaho Falls Chukars (Pioneer League) | |
Melaleuca Field is a stadium in Idaho Falls, Idaho. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Idaho Falls Chukars minor league baseball team. It was built during the Pioneer League 2006-07 offseason. It holds 3,400 people and has eight luxury suites. American Legion and local high school games are also played at the field.
The old stadium that used to sit on the same lot, McDermott Field, was at risk of closing down in 2005 due to a lack of funding and for being viewed as unsuitable to continue to serve as a public stadium.[3] The City of Idaho Falls began a fundraising campaign called "Step Up To The Plate" in 2004 in an attempt to save the ballpark, but the funds fell far short of the needed $1.3 million as the fundraiser approached its deadline.[4] A last-minute, saving donation of $600,000 by Melaleuca, Inc delivered the day before the fundraising deadline providing the required remaining funds necessary to move forward with the renovation. The city of Idaho Falls renamed the ballpark "Melaleuca Field" as a thank you to Melaleuca for the $600,000 donation that saved the ballpark.[5]
The old McDermott Field stadium was torn down on October 30, 2006, and the new Melaleuca Field stadium was dedicated on June 22, 2007. The new stadium includes a seating capacity of 3,400, eight luxury boxes, two large concession booths, and a sponsored hot tub on the right field line.[4]
Features
The grandstand includes 1,200 box seats, 1,459 bench seats with backs, eight custom suites with balcony seating, a large press box, two large concession booths, a souvenir shop and various offices.[2]
The concourse wraps around the playing field with a picnic area on the third base side and a party area with hot tub on the first base side. A separate building next to the field contains two locker rooms and extra storage.[2]
Awards
In 2007, Melaleuca Field was awarded “Best Ballpark Renovation” in the inaugural Ballpark Digest Awards of Distinction.[6]
In 2015, the field was crowned the top rookie-level ballpark in Ballpark Digest’s Best of the Ballparks fan contest.[7]
References
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Melaleuca Baseball Field". Mountain States Construction. December 1, 2007. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ^ - Post Register - June 19, 2005 Who Will Step Up To The Plate?
- ^ a b "Melaleuca Field". Ballpark Digest. January 4, 2009. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ^ - Melaleuca Field Official Website - December 3, 2012
- ^ Reichard, Kevin. "Ballpark Digest announces inaugural Awards of Distinction". BallparkDigest.com. Ballpark Digest. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- ^ "Best of the Ballparks: Melaleuca Field". BallparkDigest.com. Ballpark Digest. Retrieved 2 October 2015.