Principal Park facts for kids
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 Principal Park
Location in Iowa
Principal Park
Location in the United States
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| Former names | Sec Taylor Stadium (1992–2004) |
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| Location | 1 Line Drive Des Moines, Iowa United States |
| Coordinates | 41°34′49″N 93°36′57″W / 41.58028°N 93.61583°W |
| Owner | City of Des Moines |
| Operator | Raccoon Baseball, Inc. |
| Capacity | 11,500 (2004–present) 10,800 (1992–2003) |
| Field size | Left field: 335 ft (102 m) Center field: 400 ft (120 m) Right field: 335 ft (102 m) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | September 10, 1991 |
| Opened | April 16, 1992 |
| Renovated | 2006 |
| Construction cost | US$12 million ($25 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | Populous |
| Structural engineer | Shuck–Britson, Inc. |
| Services engineer | Bredson & Associates, Inc. |
| General contractor | Ringland Johnson Crowley Company |
| Tenants | |
| Iowa Cubs (AA/PCL/AAAE/IL) 1992–present | |
Principal Park is a baseball stadium in Des Moines, Iowa. It's home to the Iowa Cubs, a minor league baseball team. Before 2004, it was known as Sec Taylor Stadium. This park is a fun place to watch baseball games and other events.
Contents
What Makes Principal Park Special?
Principal Park sits where the Des Moines River and the Raccoon River meet. This spot in downtown Des Moines offers cool views. From some seats, you can see the Iowa State Capitol building. You can also see the city's skyline. The stadium can hold 11,500 fans. It has special club seats and private suites for groups. There's even a restaurant called the Cub Club.
A Look Back: Principal Park's History
The first baseball park on this site opened in 1947. It was called Pioneer Memorial Stadium. Later, in 1959, it was renamed Sec Taylor Stadium. This was to honor Garner "Sec" Taylor, a sports editor. Many teams played here over the years. The Iowa Cubs (then called the Iowa Oaks) made it their home in 1969.
Building a New Stadium
By the late 1980s, the old stadium needed a lot of work. So, in 1990, people in Des Moines voted to rebuild it. Most of the old stadium was torn down after the 1991 season. The new and improved stadium opened on April 16, 1992. It had new seats, skyboxes, and a picnic area.
Facing the Great Flood
In 1993, the stadium faced a big challenge. The Great Flood of 1993 covered parts of the stadium in water. But the team kept going! They even won the American Association championship that year.
Hosting Big Games and Stars
In 1997, Principal Park hosted the Triple-A All-Star Game. This was a big event for minor league baseball. Later, famous Chicago Cubs pitchers like Mark Prior and Kerry Wood played rehab games here. These games brought huge crowds to the park.
A New Name and More Upgrades
On August 5, 2004, the stadium got its current name, Principal Park. This happened after the Principal Financial Group bought the naming rights. The field itself is still called Sec Taylor Field. This deal helped pay for a $6.8 million renovation project. This project added over 1,000 new seats. It also brought in a new scoreboard and better lighting.
Beyond Baseball
Principal Park isn't just for baseball. It has hosted concerts with famous artists. For example, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson performed there in 2004. Since 2005, it has also been the home for the Iowa High School Athletic Association state baseball tournament.
Record Crowds and Special Moments
The stadium set a single-game attendance record in 2007. Over 15,000 fans watched an I-Cubs game. The biggest crowd ever was in 2009 for a Dave Matthews Band concert. Over 18,000 people attended. The park also hosted watch parties for the Chicago Cubs during their playoff runs in 2015 and 2016. Fans celebrated when the Cubs won the 2016 World Series.
Making Principal Park Even Better: Renovations Over Time
Principal Park has seen many upgrades since it opened. These changes help keep the stadium modern and fun for fans.
Early Improvements
In 1995, the ballpark added a new clubhouse. This included new locker rooms for players and coaches. It also had an indoor batting cage and a weight room. More skyboxes were added in 2000. A new sound system was also installed. The park became a smoke-free place around this time.
A New Playing Field
After the 2002 season, the playing field itself was replaced. This big project cost almost $1 million. The new grass is the same kind used at Wrigley Field. It's known as one of the best fields in minor league baseball.
Major Upgrades in the Mid-2000s
Between the 2005 and 2006 seasons, Principal Park had another big renovation. This $6.8 million project added new seats everywhere. A new scoreboard and video board were installed. A fountain was added in right field. There was also a new bleacher area and a kids' play area.
Modern Technology
In 2015, a new video board was added to right field. Then, in 2017, a ribbon board and LED lighting were installed. These updates make the game experience even more exciting for fans.
