Leaders with Asheville's Minor League Baseball team discussed the need for more than $30 million in repairs to McCormick Field during a Council of Independent Business Owners (CIBO) meeting on Friday.
Earlier this week, Buncombe County commissioners revealed a finance plan for the baseball stadium. Asheville Tourists President, Brian DeWine, shared that plan with community leaders.
He said the ballpark needs to make several improvements, including weight room expansions, a press box expansion, and new lights -- just to name a few.
"You only get to do this project once in your life. (The) last one was 30 years ago, so we believe that we need to do a project to make sure that we have a ballpark that lasts the next 30 years," said DeWine. "That fans come to and they're like, 'Wow, that was a good investment. I'm glad we did it.' We need to add to the fan side and the Major League Baseball side."
Commissioners say it will take money from hotel tax revenues to fund the upgrades. Millions will also need to come from the city of Asheville and Buncombe County.
Aside from issues related to McCormick Field, local business leaders also heard an update on Buncombe County's Comprehensive Plan 2043.
The plan is a guide for decision-making and prioritizing resources and future planning efforts. It will focus on the next 20 years in the county. It will look at relationships between land uses, infrastructure and community services and amenities.
County leaders have been working on the plan since fall 2021.
"We're modernizing. We know we can't just keep putting band-aids on a plan from 25 years ago. That's not going to work," said Nathan Pennington, Buncombe County planning director.
From now until Feb. 13, people are invited to provide feedback on the draft plan. Find upcoming meeting dates and locations here.