Downtown Stadium Projected to Open in Spring 2011

(OMAHA, NEB. Jan 21, 2009) Mayor Mike Fahey, Governor Dave Heineman, NCAA Executive Vice President Tom Jernstedt, NCAA Vice President for Baseball and Football Dennis Poppe, College World Series of Omaha, Inc., President Jack Diesing, Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority (MECA) Chairman David Sokol and Donor's Trust Vice Chairman Bruce Lauritzen led government and civic leaders in a groundbreaking to mark the official start of construction of the Omaha Baseball Stadium. The new $128 million downtown stadium, which will be completed in spring 2011, will serve as home to the NCAA Men's College World Series for the next 25 years.

The Omaha Baseball Stadium will be the ultimate destination for college baseball players who dream of "The Road to Omaha" and a chance to compete for college baseball's national championship. In addition to the College World Series, the new stadium will provide numerous sports and entertainment opportunities throughout the year, including professional and collegiate baseball, outdoor concerts and special events.

The Omaha Baseball Stadium, which is bordered by 10th to 13th Streets, Cuming to Webster, will join Qwest Center Omaha as an architectural icon for thousands of visitors arriving in downtown Omaha. Primary goals of the project focused on enhancing the student-athlete and fan experience, while benefitting the entire community. Key elements of the Omaha Baseball Stadium include:

• Seating for 24,000 fans, including 26 luxury suites and 1,000 club seats.
• A brick veneer rising 32 feet from the ground on the ballpark's exterior, matching the look of building materials in many downtown Omaha structures.
• Glazing and openings at street level that will allow people in the vicinity to view the activity happening in the stadium.
• Four entrances, allowing fans to enter and depart from any of the stadium's four directions.
• A large Fanfest area with 360 degree walk-around concourse views of the field.
• Approximately 9,000 parking stalls within a 12-minute walk of the stadium.
• Relocation of "The Road to Omaha" statue at the corner of the 13th and Cuming entrance.
• A minimum of 5,000 square feet of available retail space.

Speakers at the groundbreaking highlighted the economic benefits, entertainment opportunities and national exposure the Omaha Baseball Stadium will provide the city of Omaha and the state of Nebraska.

David Sokol, Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority Chairman

Few communities in the country will be able to offer the incredible sports and entertainment opportunities available in one location as we will have with Qwest Center Omaha and the Omaha Baseball Stadium, Sokol said. MECA board members and Qwest Center Omaha management are committed to extending to the new baseball stadium the first-class customer service and high quality sports and entertainment opportunities people have come to expect at a Qwest Center event.

Mayor Mike Fahey

The Omaha Baseball Stadium will enhance Omaha's reputation as one of America's great sports communities and create a dynamic new gateway into our city, Mayor Fahey said. The NCAA College World Series is one of the nation's great amateur sports events and the benefits to Omaha serving as the host city for the next 25 years are far-reaching.

Governor Dave Heineman

All Nebraskans are extremely proud of the positive image and economic impact the College World Series provides to Omaha and our entire state, Governor Heineman said. I commend the NCAA, Omaha government and civic leaders for working together to build this great stadium and look forward to being back in 2011 to cut the ribbon and watch the first CWS game.

Tom Jernstedt, NCAA Executive Vice President

The City of Omaha has been a great partner to the NCAA since the College World Series was first conducted in Omaha in 1950, Jernstedt said. Additionally, Omaha has become a favorite site for other NCAA Championships in recent years and the partnership has been further enhanced. The student-athletes who have participated in NCAA Championships in Omaha have thoroughly enjoyed the city, the competition venues and the passion for college sports in the city and throughout the State of Nebraska.

Dennis Poppe, NCAA Vice President of Baseball and Football

The construction of this new stadium is a result of the outstanding partnership that the NCAA and Omaha have enjoyed for the past 59 years, noted Poppe. I am pleased that together we have arrived at an agreement that ensures Omaha will be the home of the College World Series for many years to come. The new stadium will provide exciting opportunities and experiences for the student-athletes as well as the fans who have provided such great support for this outstanding national sporting event.

Jack Diesing, College World Series of Omaha, Inc., President

Speaking for all the volunteers, ticket sellers and board members of College World Series of Omaha, Inc., we are proud of this testament to Omaha's success and what it means for future generations who will enjoy the Series for the next quarter century, Diesing acknowledged. It will be exciting over the next several months to see this diamond in the rough, pardon the pun, become the new setting for Omaha's "Crown Jewel" of special events.

Bruce Lauritzen, Donor's Trust Vice Chairman

One of Omaha's strengths is the public/private partnerships that have formed to improve our community, and today's ground breaking is another example of what makes Omaha one of America's greatest cities, Lauritzen said. Eight years ago civic leaders through Donor's Trust raised $75 million of private money to help build Qwest Center Omaha. I am proud to say Donor's Trust is fast approaching our goal of raising $43 million to bring the Omaha Baseball Stadium to reality.

The Omaha Baseball Stadium was designed by an architectural team from HDR Architecture, Inc., HOK Sport and The DLR Group. Kiewit Building Group will be responsible for construction management. Current plans call for the stadium to be completed in time for the June 2011 College World Series.