More ball fields are coming to Roanoke for people to catch some of America’s favorite pastime, but the developer needs to find investors before the complex can become a reality.

Roanoke City Council approved a site plan request Aug. 21 from civil engineering firm Pacheco Koch for a baseball complex, Roanoke Baseball Plex, on 116 acres in the Fairway Ranch Addition at the southeast corner of Cleveland Gibbs Road and Hwy. 114, according to a city memo.

The details

The proposal consists of ball fields, batting cages, a concession/restroom building, a multisided press box for viewing, covered seating in front of the ballfields and a storage building. Local restaurants would operate a catering truck on-site, the memo stated.

Ball fields will be built on 9,888 square feet. Points of access will have one with a deceleration lane off of Hwy. 114 and one through the commercial site into the complex off Cleveland Gibbs Road.



The background

The baseball complex project is privately funded, said Diane Rice, communications and public engagement officer for the city of Roanoke, in an email. The city is allowing use of land that was gifted to the city by former PGA golfer Byron Nelson. Plans for the complex are in process, as officials do not yet have finalized plans and details from the developer.

Roanoke has four ball fields, with two located at Community Park and two located at Fairplay Park, Rice said. The company working toward building the baseball complex is now looking for private investor funding.

“We do not yet have dates and details,” Rice said.


City officials have not released any other details, including the name of the developer.

Quote of note

“Roanoke continues to be a great place for business,” Rice said. “We look forward to continued growth and partnership with new businesses looking to be centrally located in one of the fastest-growing areas in the metroplex.”