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The stadium ultimately cost by Reese Ryan's estimate, $25 million to build (The official website pegs it at $20 million). The Ryans and their backers, rather than cutting back and dialing down to get back towards the $14 million original projection, stepped up to the plate.

"We said we’re going to do a first class stadium," Reid recalls of a meeting with his dad and partner Don Sanders.  

"Let’s pay the extra money and make sure that we have the best stadium in the minor leagues."

The deal went through, and the excitement began to build geometrically, starting with the new front office group.

"This area was just starving for professional baseball," Fendrick recalls. "They had tried for years to bring a team to the Round Rock area or Central Texas but they weren’t able to get it done.  I think when we all got here, when we all assembled before that first year and we saw the stadium going up we could see that enthusiasm. And you knew what that product was. The fans didn’t yet. They quickly found out.  But you knew the product you were going to be selling. You just couldn’t wait until opening day."

Polishing and Cutting

The Ryans had an ambitious plan for the new facility. The columns surrounding the stadium were to be cut limestone. Sky boxes were to have the same Corian countertops, plush interiors, and fine catering that could be found at any other venue.

The field was to have 360 viewing, so parents walking around with kids and others who tire easily of sitting for a game could still watch the game and be on the move.

The bullpens were set-up in the outfield berm, elevated, so the fans in the grassy seating area could watch and interact with the pitchers.

The plan called for the park to have one of the first entertainment/fun zones for kids, with a full basketball court, moon bounce, picnic pavilion, and other amenities. Jay Miller, who had overseen the construction of the new New Orleans AAA park in Metairie, talked up the idea of putting in a swimming pool in the fan zone at the back of the outfield, similar to the one that the Zephyrs had. "The swimming pool has been a big hit for families," says Reese Ryan.

The city also contributed a design feature that would turn out to be one of the most unique profit centers of any minor league business.

The Year Round Gold Mine, and a Place to Put It

The stadium design featured one initial requirement by the city, and one more recent innovation that are both unique to sports facilities, particularly ballparks: A full conference center, and a bank.

"The city of Round Rock had no meeting facilities," said Reid. "They wanted a multi-purpose facility that could host events, trade shows. I had seen something like that as a player in High Desert. They had a little building down the left field side like a stadium club overlooking the field.  I said let’s kill two birds with one stone.  Make it a unique and entertaining venue."

A small conference center off the first base concourse was designed into the facility, with floor to ceiling glass windows fronting the ballpark.

"The conference center is an interesting thing," observes Fendrick. "A lot of ballparks have meeting spaces, but nothing like that.  It’s a year-round gold mine.  Granted we’re in a good location, plenty of parking, people like coming out here.  That’s something that makes money for you even during the winter.   Things like that that were thought out were pretty ingenious."

The facility is a year-round operation, a large building that can be sub-divided to host meetings and events in what is now monikered the United Heritage Center. They even do weddings there.

"That's right," says Scott Allen, director of the UHC. "The girls like the facility, which is easily as nice as any hotel in the area, and the guys like the amazing views of the ballpark, even if there's nothing going on."

A more recent addition to the property has been the Express Bank. Nolan had been in the banking business under the name Express Bank in Houston for fifteen years. He sold the business, but kept the name. Reid and Reese, who had been directors of the past operation, decided that they wanted to incorporate the bank into their overall business plan, and the plan for the footprint of the facilities.

"I think the bank has benefited from being next to the stadium just because so many people are exposed to it," notes Reese.  "It lets people know that the same guys who own the baseball team own the bank. Nolan is a partner in the bank and the baseball team and that gives people a nice piece of mind."

Computer Polishing

The crowning touch on this 'Diamond' was landing one of the biggest sponsors in the history of the sport for a landmark deal that many clubs would love to emulate. Jay Miller, the GM, signed up the biggest corporation in Round Rock, Dell Computer, as the stadium naming sponsor for fifteen years.

Continued...

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