Richmond, VA – CarMax Park is officially under construction, after a groundbreaking event held Friday afternoon at the site of the future home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Officials from the City of Richmond, the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond (EDA), CarMax and the Richmond Flying Squirrels gathered with hundreds of fans and supporters to mark the beginning of construction on the new baseball stadium.

Site work has already begun on the property where CarMax Park will stand, adjacent to the Flying Squirrels’ current home at The Diamond. The new facility is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2026 baseball season. The ballpark will feature a 360-degree wrap-around concourse, highlighted by a field-level dugout suite to put fans right next to the action. CarMax Park will have several social areas, including a multi-tiered beer garden in left field and a kids’ zone with adjacent terraced outfield lawn seating in right center field.

“This groundbreaking is making good on a promise that city leaders made years ago, to find a long-term home for our beloved Flying Squirrels,” said Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. “For years to come, Richmonders will make countless memories in the new stadium that will be built on this site. We also look forward to welcoming visitors from outside the city who will come to Richmond for a Squirrels game and stay to discover so much more. Richmond’s future is bright!”

“The groundbreaking marks a significant milestone in realizing the vision laid out in the Richmond 300 Plan for this 67-acre site of underutilized land,” said EDA Chairman John Molster. “On behalf of the EDA, I am proud of the years of hard work that brought us here today, and I look forward to celebrating along with all Richmonders as the Diamond District evolves.”

“This day has been a long time coming. While the path getting here may have been long and difficult, we are thrilled to have our forever home where it belongs,” said Flying Squirrels Managing Partner Lou DiBella. “This ballpark will have something for everyone – from the families and kids that make our ballpark Funnville, to the young adults filling our city’s neighborhoods, to our faithful senior fans, to the business leaders who want to show clients a great night in town – this ballpark will be a centerpiece of a new neighborhood in a growing Richmond.”

“The Diamond District is a true game changer for our City. The Squirrels are a much-loved pillar of our community and I’m so grateful that this project not only keeps them in Richmond, but will allow them to reach even greater heights,” said Richmond City Council President Kristen Nye. “I’m incredibly proud of the innovative, collaborative work from all corners of the City that made this project possible, and I’m so excited for everything that is yet to come.”

“Richmond is CarMax’s hometown, and we are deeply rooted in this community. We’re proud to support the advancement and economic development of Richmond,” said CarMax President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Nash. “We anticipate CarMax Park will create a sense of pride amongst Richmonders and help create job opportunities, attract visitors and stimulate local businesses. Today we celebrate more than a ballpark, we celebrate strengthening our community and keeping the tradition of minor league baseball here in Richmond.”

“This day has been a long time coming, and it has not been without its challenges. Our City’s staff has put in countless hours to get this across the finish line, and today is a day to celebrate the result of that hard work. We have had incredible contributions from a lot of people, and I have never been more proud to lead a team that brought a project of this significance to fruition,” said City of Richmond Chief Administrative Officer Lincoln Saunders.

“Good things are worth waiting for and this stadium isn’t just going to be just good. It’s going to be great. I’m proud to be part of the latest chapter in Richmond’s rich tradition as a baseball town,” said City Council 2^nd District Representative Katherine Jordan. “I’m grateful for everyone who got us here – our city officials and staff, the Squirrels and their fans, MLB, our design team partners and most of all Richmonders who spoke loudly that they wanted baseball to stay, and they wanted it to stay on Aurthur Ashe Boulevard.”

CarMax Park is the anchor of the city’s 67-acre Diamond District, a mixed-use development that will transform the largely industrial and vacant area surrounding The Diamond today into a vibrant neighborhood with apartments, affordable housing, retail, restaurants and a large public park.

Friday’s groundbreaking was the culmination of Richmond Flying Squirrels Week. Mayor Levar Stoney issued a proclamation on Tuesday announcing the weeklong celebration of the team. On Wednesday, city officials and Flying Squirrels leadership announced CarMax as the naming rights sponsor of the new ballpark, leading up to Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony. Last month, the team and the EDA announced that they had come to terms on a 30-year lease for the new ballpark, keeping the Squirrels in Richmond for decades to come.

Fans can expect to see significant construction progress on the site in the coming months. Machete Group will oversee project development on behalf of the Flying Squirrels. Jason Bitsoff from Machete is leading the Squirrels’ sponsorship sales effort including negotiation of founding partner agreements for CarMax Park.