The Minor League baseball team, Hillsboro Hops, recently began construction on their new digs in the Portland suburbs, a $120 million project set to elevate the game day experience to new heights. The groundbreaking ceremony marked a significant milestone for the Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate. The ambitious effort promises to meet Major League Baseball's updated standards for facilities, a movement catching on in the minor leagues, according to Sports Business Journal.
Team officials, government representatives, and fans all gathered to witness this pivotal event. The chorus of voices celebrating the commencement included passionate speeches from K.L. Wombacher, president and general manager, and team owner Mike McMurray. Wombacher, often emotional throughout the ceremony, articulated his deep connection to the project and the community. "A lot goes into it. It’s a day and night," Wombacher told KOIN, "But we love what we do. We love the community. We love baseball. We love developing major leaguers. So, to reach a point like this, where we’re going to build a dream venue for this community to enjoy, it’s like the pinnacle of your career to be able to work on a project like this."
The new stadium, designed by Populous and SRG Partnership, will span five acres within the Gordon Farber Recreation Complex. With an anticipated completion date in 2026, the stadium will replace existing recreational sports fields, though these will be reconstructed elsewhere within the complex, ensuring the local community doesn't lose valuable sports infrastructure.
The Hops' new home is not just for baseball; the venue is set to become a hub for the community hosting concerts, food festivals, and farmers markets, with a maximum capacity of 7,000 for such events. The fan experience has been placed front and center, with plans for an outfield berm seating area, a kids zone, picnic areas, and a beer garden, all topped with a 32-foot canopy for year-round protection from the Pacific Northwest's varied elements. "This is a community asset, community gym, this is going to be the best facility in the country," Wombacher added in his statement to KPTV. "I promise you because of the we way we operate it. Fan-first attitude, fan-first approach, affordable entertainment, first-class memories. Go Hops!"
With a blend of public and private funding, the almost 300,000-square-foot ballpark is looking to hit a home run in sports venue design and bring a revitalized spirit to Minor League Baseball outings in Hillsboro. The Hops will continue to play their 66 home games at the current Hillsboro Ballpark until the new ballpark's doors open, marking the beginning of the 2026 MiLB season and a new era for local sports fans.
