Grand Opening

What better way to celebrate spring than taking in a baseball game. Friday was the grand opening of the US Cellular Community Park in Medford and the community celebrated with a barbecue and ceremonial first pitch.

Preparations for the events began early. Friday night, the celebration marked the the completion of "phase two" and the opening of five softball and baseball diamonds, including a concession stand, grandstand and children's playground.

The Medford Parks and Recreation Department has the diamonds booked through the end of the year. City officials say those games will generate millions of dollars for the Rogue Valley.

Brian Sjothun, director of the Parks and Recreation Department of Medford says "The economic impact of this five field softball complex will be any where between 5 and 7 million dollars alone just for 2008."

The park isn't completely finished, phase three will include five soccer and football fields. When those fields are finished, the park as a whole is expected to bring-in between 15 to 30-million dollars a year.