Atlantic City Breaks Ground on Pop Lloyd Stadium Renovation
Built in the late 1940s, Pop Lloyd Stadium is named after Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and Negro League star shortstop John Henry 'Pop' Lloyd, who played, lived, and worked in Atlantic City.
ATLANTIC CITY – The Historic Pop Lloyd Stadium began a new era on Monday, June, 17, 2024, when the city began a renovation project that will transform the baseball stadium into a versatile sports complex for the community.
Mayor Marty Small, Sr., alongside project partners and longtime residents, officially kicked off the $5.6-million construction effort with a groundbreaking ceremony.
"Pop Lloyd Stadium has seen better days, but we are committed to restoring it to its former glory," said Mayor Small. "My goal is to preserve the historic significance of this baseball field while creating a multisport complex that future generations can enjoy."
The revamped stadium will feature stunning artificial blue turf, new dugouts, locker rooms, bleachers, restrooms, lighting, fencing, and a modern scoreboard. Beyond baseball, the stadium will accommodate softball, T-ball, football, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and other sports and activities. Additionally, pergolas will be installed for community gatherings. The project is being executed by the Atlantic City-based Weatherby Construction Company.
"This project is a collaborative effort, and I am grateful for the dedication of our City departments in bringing this vision to life," Small said. The stadium, which has been largely unused since the 1990s, will be revitalized thanks to the efforts of the City of Atlantic City Planning and Development Director Jacques Howard. "Our mission is to maintain the legacy of this iconic field, and we're thrilled that a study confirmed the structure can be preserved," Howard stated.
Built in the late 1940s, Pop Lloyd Stadium is named after Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and Negro League star shortstop John Henry 'Pop' Lloyd, who played, lived, and worked in Atlantic City.
Atlantic City Recreation Director Mike Griffin highlighted the positive impact the project will have on the community. "This new complex will provide fresh opportunities for both youth and adults in Atlantic City, introducing them to a variety of sports. As someone who benefited from Atlantic City Recreation as a kid, I am excited to see this field become a vibrant hub of activity once again."
The renovation is expected to be completed by Fall 2024, with the new Pop Lloyd Stadium set to open for the Spring 2025 sports season. The project is funded by the American Rescue Plan ($4 million), 2022 Supplemental Transitional Aid ($1 million), and an additional $601,450 from ARP funding approved by the State of New Jersey. The Recreation division will manage the new field, coordinating events and programs.
(This story was produced as part of the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University's South Jersey Information Equity Project fellowship and supported with funding from the Independence Public Media Foundation, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and the NJ Civic Information Consortium.)
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