Building Up: New Clubhouse, Expanded Seating and Amenities highlight Phase Two construction underway at Heritage Financial Park 

Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Aug. 14, 2023) – Fans attending a Renegades game in 2023 or driving past Heritage Financial Park on NY-9D surely have noticed ­­­a new building being constructed beyond left field. That structure, an all-new home clubhouse and events space, is the centerpiece of Phase Two of a multi-year ballpark transformation project undertaken by Dutchess County, the Renegades, and Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH). Construction on the facility is already underway, and is expected to be completed before Opening Day 2024.

The new clubhouse will fit the modern needs, standards and requirements, as outlined in Major League Baseball’s Player Development License (PDL). Additionally, it will create new upscale and social spaces for the entire community to enjoy a night at the ballpark. Phase Two marks the largest capital investment in Heritage Financial Park since the facility opened in 1994, and is a key part of the transformation project which will elevate Heritage Financial Park into the premier venue in the region.

“The best way to describe this project is dynamic! It will deliver player and staff accommodations that will be among the best in all of baseball, it will expand the experience that we are able to provide our fans on gameday, and it will grant us the opportunity to be open and welcoming to the communities we serve for 12 months a year,” said Tyson Jeffers, General Manager of the Renegades. “This project delivers on many promises made to our partners, including our fans, the community, and the New York Yankees, as well as the Renegades fulfilling our goals of Heritage Financial Park being the premier entertainment venue in the Hudson Valley. I can’t wait to welcome our players, staff, and fans into these new spaces to start the 2024 season!”

Dutchess County Executive William F.X. O’Neil said, “For nearly three decades, Heritage Financial Park has provided countless local families with wholesome entertainment and long-cherished memories. Even before the first pitch was ever thrown at the stadium, Dutchess County has invested in this gem of a County park to enhance the fan experience. This latest project continues our commitment to residents and visitors alike who enjoy this park and will do so for decades to come.”

NEW HOME CLUBHOUSE FACILITY

The centerpiece of the player-facing aspect of the project is a brand-new home clubhouse located on the ground level of the new building. The clubhouse exceeds Major League Baseball’s requirements and will provide a state-of-the-art facility for the New York Yankees to develop their future stars in the Hudson Valley, including current Yankees star Carlos Rodon’s rehab start at the ballpark in July. This sparkling, new facility will create a comfortable place for players and staff where they can train and relax.

As part of the new construction, the Renegades will have their own private weight room and enclosed batting tunnels, making Heritage Financial Park one of the only minor league facilities in the country to have private weight rooms and tunnels for both teams. The clubhouse will be outfitted with brand-new lockers and a player lounge to create a welcoming atmosphere. There will also be dedicated locker room spaces for all field staff and private accommodations for female staff.

With the home clubhouse being constructed in left field, the Renegades will shift to the third base dugout coinciding with the opening of the building in 2024. Players will enter the field through an entrance tunnel into left field, near where the current visiting team bullpen is located. The visiting team will move into the right field clubhouse building, which currently houses just the Renegades.

NEW CLUB LEVEL AND EVENTS SPACE

The upper level of the new building will contain an all-new club level and events space which will be utilized both for games and events during the offseason. The club level will provide an upscale space for guests wishing for an all-inclusive experience when they come to Heritage Financial Park.

For games, the Renegades will sell season-long memberships, group tickets, and a limited number of single-game tickets for the club. Inside, the club will feature a full-service kitchen and bar, climate-controlled indoor seating with TVs to watch the game so you never miss the action, and will feature a buffet-style rotating menu of both upscale and traditional ballpark fare. Outdoors on the club level, fans can relax and casually watch the game from the elevated patio, or a section of traditional seats that are the only spot in the ballpark to catch a home run.

The club level will be able to accommodate approximately 200 fans for games, and will feature private restroom facilities for those enjoying a game there.

Beyond Renegades games, the space will operate during all 12 months as a unique venue for weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, private parties, showers and meetings. The club level will be able to accommodate events with Audio and Visual needs, and those renting it out can work with the Renegades concessionaire to develop a full menu that fits the needs of their event. The Renegades will also host team and community events in the club level.

Parties interested in learning more about season memberships or group outings in the club, fill out the form HERE and a representative from the Renegades will be in touch with more information.

GROUP AND SINGLE-GAME SEATING AND AMMENITY EXPANSION

In addition to the clubhouse and club level, the construction project is adding several new, unique seating options for fans to enjoy a game from down the left field line. A new Rooftop Party Deck to accommodate groups of up to 300 people will offer a unique vantage point for groups as well as a private bar for an outing to remember. There will also be new drink rail seating as well as a section of terraced four-top tables for fans to socialize and watch the game. Drink rail and four-top terrace seats will be sold both for group and single-game ticket buyers.

There will also be new sections of traditional seats located down the left field line, and a new, public restroom facility to service the needs of the entire ballpark. In total, the expansion is expected to increase the capacity of Heritage Financial Park by approximately 1,000 people.

Those interested in more information about the new Rooftop Party Deck and other new seating spaces, fill out the form HERE and a representative from the Renegades will be in touch with more information.

Construction on the facility is already underway, and is expected to be completed before Opening Day 2024.

Built in 1994, Heritage Financial Park has hosted Renegades baseball and thousands of community events throughout its life. The park has welcomed over 10 million guests since it opened and hosts approximately 200-250 outdoor entertainment and sporting events per year. It is conveniently located at the crossroads of the Hudson Valley, highly visible from NY-9D and I-84, just minutes off US-9 and I-87, and is in close proximity to both the MTA Metro-North Railroad Beacon and New Hamburg Stations.

Heritage Financial Park has been known as a gathering point for people throughout the Hudson Valley and has generated millions of dollars in economic impact over the last 29 years. Under the Yankees affiliation and move from a 38-game season to a 66-game season, that impact has rapidly grown since 2020 through additional tourism, employment, and hospitality.

The past few years have already seen significant improvements including replacing and upgrading stadium seats, the installation of state-of-the-art, energy-efficient LED lights, and the re-pavement of the parking lots. Phase One of the ballpark transformation project saw several player-facing upgrades including the replacement of the original outfield wall with a safer, padded wall, a new batter’s eye in centerfield, the renovation of the right field clubhouse building, and the enclosure of the right field batting cages.

ABOUT THE HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES

The Hudson Valley Renegades are the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees in the South Atlantic League. The Renegades return home to Heritage Financial Park on Tuesday, Aug. 22 to host the Aberdeen IronBirds. To buy tickets now, slide to www.hvrenegades.com or call (845) 838-0094.

ABOUT DIAMOND BASEBALL HOLDINGS

Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) was formed in 2021 to support, promote and enhance Minor League Baseball Clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball through professional management, best practices, innovation and investment (DiamondBaseballHoldings.com).

ABOUT DUTCHESS COUNTY PARKS

A division of Dutchess County Government’s Department of Public Works, Dutchess County Parks works to enhance the quality of life for all county residents by providing safe and supportive County services at its many active parks, including Heritage Financial Park, Bowdoin Park, Wilcox Memorial Park and the Dutchess and Harlem Valley rail trails. County parks offer a wide variety of activities and educational programs, including picnicking, hiking, camping, disc golf, pickleball, boating, pavilion rentals, playgrounds, splash pad, athletic fields, sledding and ice skating in winter, naturalist programs and community events.