PawSox Seek Study For Stadium Upgrade

Last year at this time, the owners of the Pawtucket Red Sox were making a plea to fans to urge their state representatives to assist the team in a push to move to Providence, R.I., and into a new stadium. The owners, headed by the late Providence lawyer James Skeffington and a group of investors, sent an e-mail to local supporters asking the team to make a five-mile move and into a proposed new $85 million stadium.

To avoid the possibility of a move, the team announced on Monday its plans to seek bids from local firms to the study the stadium and the feasibility for renovation. When a firm is picked, the study hopes to examine the stadium’s condition as well as that of the surrounding area. It also aims to consider the current trends in stadium architecture and compile a list of needed repairs and renovations.

“This study is a continuation of an initiative that began back in 2014 when the PawSox extended their lease of McCoy Stadium,” PawSox vice chairman Mike Tamburro said in a statement. “As part of that lease extension, the state, the city, and the PawSox agreed to commission and fund jointly a study of McCoy Stadium. And while those plans were put on hold following the sale of the team and the tragic passing of Jim Skeffington last year, I’m very pleased to see them coming to fruition now.”

The study is expected to take several months to complete. Representatives from Rhode Island, Pawtucket and the PawSox are expected to work together.

“This study of McCoy and the economic development opportunities within the ballpark district is going to help the city, the Pawtucket Red Sox, and the state determine the full potential at McCoy going forward through smart investments,” Pawtucket mayor Donald Grebien said in a statement. “I am excited about the renewed commitment and growing partnership we continue to build. This study provides a road map to ensure that the family-friendly, affordable brand of PawSox baseball can be enjoyed by the people of Pawtucket and Rhode Island for generations to come.”