SF Giants affiliate calls for fan support amidst stadium uncertainty
One of the SF Giants minor league affiliates is in the middle of an uncertain stadium situation. August 8th marks Save Our Ems night for the Eugene Emeralds (the Giants High-A affiliate), a night where they encourage fans to dress in green to show their support to keep the Emeralds in Eugene.
The Emeralds have been having stadium issues, as they play at PK Park, a facility they share with the University of Oregon.
The Daily Emerald, University of Oregon's student-run newspaper, cited MLB's new facility standards as the reason why the Emeralds are looking for a new ballpark.
"The Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball have implemented new facility rules requiring large clubhouses, training facilities and changing rooms for women," the Daily Emerald reported. "PK Park does not possess these facilities and, since there is not enough room to add them on, the Emeralds will have to move."
A report by KEZI stated that "one group is saying a new stadium would be too expensive and more time is needed to evaluate such a large investment."
The advocacy group Taxpayers for Transparency is formed in an effort to ask for clarity and more information about the plans, according to a report by KVAL.
"According to materials furnished, at the June 27 Board of County Commissioners meeting, a baseball stadium located at the Lane Events Center will cost between $90-$100 million. Nearly all of that would be publicly funded: $1.5 million from federal funds, $7.5 million in state funds and $35 million in county funds that would come from an increase in car rental taxes (CRT) and transient lodging taxes (TRT) implemented this year," KVAL reported.
The Eugene Emeralds have been the SF Giants' High-A affiliate since 2021 as a result of the minor league realignment. They have shared PK Park with the University of Oregon since 2010.
