NOVEMBER 2007

NATIONALS BALLPARK ROLLS OUT THE GREEN CARPET
 
CITY OFFICIALS, DC SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION, THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS & CLARK/HUNT/SMOOT SHOWCASE NEWLY-COMPLETED PLAYING FIELD AT DC BALLPARK
 
 
(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, DC Sports & Entertainment Commission (DCSEC) and the Washington Nationals celebrated the new, freshly-laid playing field for Washington Nationals Ballpark. The 13-month old grass is Kentucky Bluegrass sod from Tuckahoe Turf Farm in New Jersey and is 5/8” thick.  The installation of the turf marks a major milestone in the project.
 
“This milestone is yet another goal that we have met on time and within the cost cap for this great baseball stadium,” said Fenty.  “I look forward to standing on this grass in just a few short months for the Nationals 2008 opening day.”
 
"It's a proud day for the District and its residents.  We have reached another baseball milestone with the installation of this beautiful new field.  In a mere five months, we will return here to celebrate the grand opening of Washington's newest monument - our new ballpark," touted DCSEC Vice Chairman William Hall.
 
Guests at today’s ceremony also included DCSEC Board Members, City Council Members, representatives from Clark/Hunt/Smoot Construction and Washington Nationals who announced their new seat relocation process. 
 
“The completion of the playing field marks a significant milestone in the progress that we’ve made in making Nationals Park a reality,” commented Stan Kasten, Washington Nationals President.  “With the installation of the field, along with the seating bowl almost completed, we are even more excited about the fantastic sightlines we boast for our fans.  We certainly appreciate the efforts of our partners in the DCSEC and Clark/Hunt/Smoot.”
 
The ballpark is located in Southeast Washington along the Anacostia River Waterfront and will serve as the cornerstone of a new mixed-use waterfront district.  Designed by the joint venture architectural team of DC-based Devrouax & Purnell and HOK Sport, the 1,050,000-gross-square-foot facility will seat approximately 41,000 fans.  The ballpark is being built by the joint-venture design-build team of Clark/Hunt/Smoot Construction.
 
The ballpark is scheduled for completion Opening Day 2008..