Melaleuca Field facts for kids
 Idaho Falls
Location in the United States
Idaho Falls
Location in Idaho
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| Address | 568 West Elva |
|---|---|
| Location | Idaho Falls, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 43°30′18″N 112°02′17″W / 43.505°N 112.038°W |
| Elevation | 4,700 ft (1,435 m) AMSL |
| Owner | Elmore Sports Group |
| Operator | Elmore Sports Group |
| Capacity | 3,400 |
| Field size | Left field: 350 ft (104 m) Center field: 390 ft (122 m) Right field: 335 ft (107 m) |
| Surface | Natural Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | October 2006 |
| Opened | June 22, 2007 |
| Construction cost | $5.6 million ($7.9 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | Nielson, Bodily and Associates |
| Structural engineer | ES2 Structural Engineers |
| Services engineer | Havlovick Engineering Services, Inc. |
| General contractor | Bateman-Hall, Inc. |
| Tenants | |
| Idaho Falls Chukars (PL) 2007–present | |
Melaleuca Field is a cool stadium located in Idaho Falls, Idaho, in the western United States. It's mostly known as a baseball park. This field is the home of the Idaho Falls Chukars, an independent Minor League Baseball team. The stadium was built between 2006 and 2007. Besides professional games, it also hosts American Legion baseball and local high school games.
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Melaleuca Field: A Cool Baseball Park
Melaleuca Field is a special place for baseball fans in Idaho Falls. It's where the Idaho Falls Chukars play their home games. This stadium is a big part of the community. It offers a fun experience for everyone who loves baseball.
What is Melaleuca Field?
Melaleuca Field is a modern baseball park. It was built on the same spot where an older stadium, McDermott Field, used to be. The new field opened its doors in 2007. It has a natural grass playing surface. The stadium is designed to give fans a great view of the game.
How Melaleuca Field Was Built
The story of Melaleuca Field began with an older, much-loved baseball park. Over time, that old park needed a big upgrade. The community worked together to make a new stadium possible.
From Old to New: McDermott Field's Story
The original baseball field opened way back in 1940. It was first called Highland Park. After a fire in 1975, it was fixed up. In 1977, it was renamed McDermott Field. This was to honor E. F. McDermott, a local newspaper publisher. He was known as "Mr. Baseball" in the area. By 2004, McDermott Field was quite old and falling apart. It was time for a change.
Making the New Stadium Happen
The Idaho Falls Chukars team wanted a new stadium. They talked to the city of Idaho Falls in May 2004. The plan was to renovate the old field. The estimated cost was about $3.35 million. The city agreed to pay $2 million. The Chukars started a fundraising campaign called "Step Up To The Plate." They hoped to raise the rest of the money.
However, building costs went up. There was a shortage of half a million dollars. That's when Melaleuca, a company from Idaho Falls, stepped in. They gave $600,000 to finish the construction. The old McDermott Field was torn down on October 30, 2006. The brand new Melaleuca Field was officially opened on June 22, 2007.
Awesome Features of the Park
Melaleuca Field has many cool features for players and fans. It's designed to be a comfortable and exciting place to watch baseball.
Seating and Playing Area
The stadium can hold 3,400 people. The main seating area, called the grandstand, has 1,200 special box seats. There are also 1,459 bench seats, which have backs for comfort. For a more private experience, there are eight luxury boxes with balcony seating. The field also has a large press box for reporters. There are two big places to buy snacks and drinks, called concession booths. You can also find a souvenir shop and offices. The playing field itself is made of natural Kentucky bluegrass.
Fun Around the Field
A walkway, called the concourse, goes all the way around the playing field. On one side, there's a picnic area where families can relax. On the other side, there's a party area that even includes a hot tub! Imagine watching a baseball game from a hot tub. A separate building next to the field has locker rooms for the players and extra storage space. The field is about 4,700 feet above sea level.
Awards and Milestones
Melaleuca Field has received recognition for its design and popularity. It quickly became a favorite among baseball fans.
In 2007, the stadium won an award for “Best Ballpark Renovation.” This was from the first-ever Ballpark Digest Awards of Distinction. In 2015, fans voted it the top rookie-level ballpark in a contest. It was also named the fourth-best rookie-level ballpark by Ballpark Digest. On August 14, 2017, Melaleuca Field welcomed its one millionth fan. This was a huge milestone for the new ballpark!
