DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark, opened in 1914 and recognized as the oldest ballpark still used in Minor League Baseball, is undergoing a comprehensive $30 million renovation and expansion project that will transform the beloved landmark into a premier baseball facility meeting MLB standards.
The centerpiece of the renovation is a new 38,000-square-foot player development building that will house state-of-the-art facilities for both home and visiting teams, including clubhouses, indoor batting cages, and team offices. The project will also feature a Jackie Robinson Museum and modern fan amenities.
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“It’s an absolute honor to be a small part of this project and process,” said Jim Jaworski, general manager and president of the Daytona Tortugas, the Single-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. “The new player development facilities will help players continue to train and ultimately reach their goals at the big league level.”
Located on City Island, the project presents unique challenges due to its historic significance. The ballpark, which opened on June 4, 1914, is protected under the National Commemorative Site Act for its pivotal role in breaking baseball’s color barrier.
The expansion includes a second-floor multipurpose room with an adjoining outdoor balcony and seating area, plus a warming kitchen to enhance the spectator experience. The first base dugout will be renovated and expanded to include new restrooms and bench seating.
“We are celebrating a tradition of this city,” said Daytona Beach City Commissioner Paula Reed, who toured the construction site. “It’s absolutely gorgeous. We’ve invested $40 million in it, and we’re only in the first phase. Another phase is coming.”
The renovation, led by design-builder Barton Malow and design partner MSA Sport, includes significant site improvements:
- Secure parking spaces for players and employees
- Accessible stadium parking for fans
- Dedicated field storage and ballpark services
- Enhanced landscaping and infrastructure upgrades
- Construction began in February 2025, with Phase 1 completion scheduled for January 2026.
“It’s been here for 100 years, the oldest park in baseball,” said Len Moser, Vice President of Sports at Barton Malow Builders. “It’s a real special place with so much history, and now we’re actually working on it. So that’s really, really cool.”
The Jackie Robinson Museum component will play a crucial role in preserving the ballpark’s historic significance as the site where Robinson first played in an integrated professional baseball game in 1946, before breaking Major League Baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.
Commissioner Reed emphasized the importance of this historical connection: “We want the youth of this community to know who this man was. And we want our city to be respected for who he is.”
The project represents a collaborative effort between the City of Daytona Beach, the Daytona Tortugas organization, and the construction team to ensure the ballpark’s operations continue without disruption while significantly enhancing the venue for players, fans, and the community.