Fowler Park

Project Overview

Seeking to become one of the premier Division 1 baseball programs in the country, the University of San Diego Toreros undertook an extensive ballpark renovation, reopening the improved facility as Fowler Park in Spring 2013. The tiered metal benches behind home plate were replaced by a cast in place seating bowl that wraps from first to third base and accommodates 1,600 individual stadium chairs. The ballpark can expand up to 3,000 seats to meet the requirement for hosting regional and super regional tournaments, thereby generating national television exposure for the Toreros. The overhauled facility now boasts amenities comparable to top Minor League Baseball parks, including an iconic entry, private suites, a press box, a kid’s play area, and open terraces with the design flexibility to host special events. New team facilities, including a home team locker room and lounge, coaches’ offices and locker room, training facility and video coaching office were also added. In addition to providing a distinct competitive advantage to the University’s baseball team, this dynamic facility strengthens connections with the neighboring community, giving the school and its many alumni and supporters a top tier venue that pays homage to the unique and treasured aesthetic of the campus.

Our Role

JMI Sports provided facility development expertise to the University of San Diego during the design and preconstruction phases of its ballpark renovation. Design management services included architect selection, establishment of the project program, and development of the overall project budget and schedule. Working in partnership with the project architect, JMI Sports fostered the creation of a design that enhances the natural garden-like setting and takes advantage of the premium sightlines offered by the extremely challenging site, resulting in an extraordinarily beautiful and unique ballpark. In addition to managing the design effort, JMI Sports was intimately involved in all facets of preconstruction, including contractor selection, construction cost reviews, and the identification of deductive and additive alternates to ensure budget alignment. Most importantly, the role of JMI Sports was to provide decision making guidance throughout the programming and design phases, so the University would ultimately have a ballpark that met their superior standards and stayed within budget.

“JMI Sports has been a tremendous help in developing our ballpark. Their understanding of design elements, the fan experience, revenue generation, operations and managing a finite budget have helped us to create a collegiate ballpark experience that we believe is one of the best in the country.”