The Yard Goats might not have had a winning season, but in its first year at bat, some say Dunkin’ Donuts Stadium hit one out of the park.
Even Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, an ardent opponent of the project, said the first season played at the new stadium was a success.
“They had 21 sellouts in a row and 41 throughout the season,” Bronin said.
Despite a 62-74 season, the second worst in the Eastern League, Hartford built it and fans came.
“I think it’s been a long time coming for us to have something in Hartford,” Toni Fitzgerald, a northside neighborhood native who now lives in Bristol, said.
“They’re at least attempting to bring more life to the city,” said Michael Flash, who also lives near the new park.
“The stadium is always there. It’s fun for the kids, it’s fun for the family, and everybody loves it,” said Michael Brown, who lives close to the park as well.
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The $71-million baseball park, paid for with taxpayer dollars, opened a year late to a wary public.
“It was nothing against baseball, it was just the idea of the people paying for it,” said Anne Goshdigian, who belongs to the Coalition to Stop the Stadium, which fought unsuccessfully against Dunkin Donuts Park.
She said the city, which is considering bankrupt, couldn’t afford it then and can’t afford it now.
“It’s a win for the team and the fact that we do have people who are enjoying it tremendously. It is not a win for Hartford,” Goshdigian said.
Mayor Bronin campaigned against the project and took office after it was halfway built.
“Financially, this never made sense and it probably never will make sense,” Bronin said.
However, residents of the northside neighborhood near the park say the team and the city have hit a home run.
“People around here need something else besides just wandering around looking at each other every day,” Brown said.
“I think it’s wonderful for the city. Something new. It’s great to have a sports team downtown,” Flash said.
The mayor said the park itself is not a money maker for Hartford, but it’s still a success when you measure it by the number of people it’s brought into the city.
“No matter what you think or thought about the original decision to borrow the money and build the park, we should all embrace and enjoy the team and be proud of that success,” Bronin said.
The original development plan didn’t stop at the stadium. Stores, restaurants and housing were also expected to be built. However, the city fired the contractor that was given the development rights. With the city now tied up in a legal battle, those plans are now on hold.
