Spruce Grove ballpark remains stalled after four years

Four years after its announced opening, the $50 million Energy City Metro Ballpark in Spruce Grove remains unfinished, with three scheduled games already postponed.

The 3,470-seat stadium was supposed to open for the 2022 season. Instead, it's been plagued by supply chain shortages, bad weather, the Migratory Bird Act, and facility approvals. Last summer, construction halted entirely after a $2.3 million lien from Acheson-based JEN COL Construction appeared on the land title.

On Thursday, activity resumed on the site, but the stadium still appears far from ready.

Games scheduled for June 6, 7, and 10 were postponed — first due to rain and difficult weather, then due to "facility approvals." Aiden Beesley, who lives nearby, has watched progress stall repeatedly.

"It gets everybody excited again, the hype comes back and then there's just — nothing," he said. "It's just a let down, constantly."

The ballpark is home to the Energy City Cactus Rats, rebranded last year from the Edmonton Prospects. Yellowhead Recreation in Spruce Grove put a deposit on a suite over two years ago. Sales team finance manager Matheo Martin said several staff members are baseball fans who have been looking forward to hosting clients at games.

"They've been super excited to potentially go watch some games, but it just keeps getting postponed and postponed," he said.

On June 3, the team posted a Facebook update saying the ballpark will open "this season" with a public opening in phases. But no date for the first public game was announced — the team is still "working through the required occupancy approvals."

Some residents feel left in the dark. "They're making an announcement of a future announcement, but they're not keeping us informed as residents of the city," Beesley said.

More than two dozen games remain on the Cactus Rats' schedule, with the next game set for this Saturday.