Signs of Progress Visible at Site of UNO's Maestri Field Renovation Project
A month after officials broke ground on the Maestri Field renovation project on the University of New Orleans' East Campus, signs of progress are visible.
"All of the piles have been driven and they are in the process of putting in the new drainage system for the facility," said Maestri Field coordinator Jason Veillion. "Later in the week, we should start seeing the cement being poured for the concrete footings."
Prior to the official groundbreaking ceremony on May 10, the approximately $3 million renovation project got underway. Two weeks of demolition work cleared the construction site and removed the existing exterior wall to the Privateer Park facility.
Under the direction of Kevin J. Smith Construction, the upgrades to Maestri Field will spring to life over the next few months, said Jason Plotkin, spokesman for the UNO Privateers.
The renovated Maestri Field grandstand will include chair back seating for nearly 800 spectators and a new press box. The press box will include an area for game day operations, two radio booths and a private suite with bathroom and wet bar, as well as an elevator to the press box.
The UNO baseball team will make its return to Maestri Field at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014, when the Privateers will face 2013 College World Series participant LSU. The Tigers are coached by former Privateer infielder and all-Sun Belt Conference selection Paul Mainieri.
The contest against LSU is part of a Privateer Baseball Alumni Weekend which will celebrate the 30th anniversary of UNO's 1984 College World Series team, the first from the state to play in Omaha. The 1974 Division II World Series team will also be recognized on the occasion of their 40th anniversary.
"Coach Maestri has been helping us plan a great alumni weekend for our former players to come home and help us reopen Privateer Park," said UNO Assistant Athletic Director for External Relations Brandon Rizzuto. "Postcards were mailed last week to all of our alumni who are registered with the University to remind them of the date and to have them join us next February."
"We also will be communicating with our Privateer Baseball alumni via email on all information as it comes available."
Any UNO baseball alumni who do not receive 'Save the Date' postcards are strongly encouraged to contact Rizzuto at brizzuto@uno.edu or by phone at (504) 280-1353.
