Rainiers Reveal Plans For All-New Kids Play Area At Cheney Stadium

TACOMA, Wash. -- The Tacoma Rainiers, in partnership with the Ben B. Cheney Foundation and Metro Parks Tacoma, today announced plans for an all-new kid's play area to be built at Cheney Stadium. Construction on the project will begin in November and is scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the 2016 Rainiers season in early April.

The 9,670-square-foot play area will be built behind the grass berm located along the first base side of the ballpark. It will feature both a state-of-the-art playground and a regulation-sized Wiffle ball field.

"The ownership group of the Tacoma Rainiers is thrilled to work with our friends at the Cheney Foundation, Metro Parks and the City of Tacoma to further enhance Cheney Stadium as a place for residents of Tacoma and the entire South Sound to congregate, recreate, and enjoy baseball and other events," Tacoma Rainiers CEO Mikal Thomsen said.

"Since buying the team in 2011, our goal has been to create a great and constantly improving experience for our fans and the entire community. The play area is something we have talked about for a couple of years. It's great to see that vision now turning into reality"

Along with funding provided by Rainiers ownership, additional support for the project will be supplied by the Cheney Foundation and Metro Parks. The partnership represents a shared desire among the organizations to strengthen opportunities for youth within the Tacoma community.

"The Cheney Foundation loves baseball, kids and our community," Cheney Foundation President Brad Cheney said. "We believe that Cheney Stadium should be a place for families and fans of all ages. The partnership between the Foundation, the Rainiers and Metro Parks will give our youngest baseball fans a place to call their own while visiting the park."

"This playground and Wiffle ball field are going to provide a great resource for the thousands of families that visit Heidelberg Park each year," Metro Parks Tacoma Board President Tim Reid said. "This is another example of the great partnerships and collaboration that defines Tacoma as a great place to raise kids."

The area's playground division will incorporate play equipment for children aged two to five years old, as well as innovative climbing, movement, and flexibility-based structures for children aged five to twelve years old. All elements of both the playground and Wiffle ball field will be built by Korsmo Construction.

"Korsmo Construction is proud to partner with the Tacoma Rainiers, City of Tacoma, Metro Parks and the Cheney Foundation to design and build the new Kids Zone Playground at Cheney Stadium," Korsmo Construction President John Korsmo, Jr. said. "The new playground equipment and Wiffle ball field will be a great addition to our community's public play spaces. All of us at Korsmo are excited about our continuing partnership with the Rainiers organization and look forward to supporting the club for years to come."

The new play area will be available throughout the year, both during the season and offseason, accessible to all members of the Tacoma community.

"Physically active children are happier, healthier and do better in school. Improving the health of our residents (including our kids) is a top priority of the City of Tacoma," Mayor Marilyn Strickland said. "I am glad to have a partner in the Tacoma Rainiers and look forward to activating the play area next season."

The Tacoma Rainiers are slated to open the club's 2016 season on Thursday, April 7. Season tickets, group outings, and suite packages for the team's 2016 campaign are available now, and can be purchased by calling the Tacoma Rainiers front office at (253) 752-7707 today.

The most up-to-date information leading up to the 2016 season can be found at www.tacomarainiers.com, or by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand) and liking the team on Facebook.