The Ballpark at America First Square  

Opening in spring 2025 for the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan, Utah stands as a centerpiece for a growing community. South Jordan is one of the 10 fastest growing cities in the United States. Constructed over the course of 18 months with private funding, the stadium replaced the previous field, Smith’s Ballpark. Though the new ballpark has less seating than the previous one, it will be situated as a central feature of the 200-acre Downtown Daybreak development, welcoming millions of visitors every year to enjoy dining, recreation and events.

Knowing that the new ballpark would encounter large crowds of people and a bustling urban environment, long-term durability and aesthetics of the project were considered in the initial design phases. All steel elements, including the scoreboard, seating handrails, and guardrails, required a coating protection system that would withstand the harsh Utah seasonal extremes and maintain a quality finish for decades into the future. Hot-dip galvanizing offered the only comprehensive solution that was able to meet both the sustainability and structural requirements of the ballpark.

Due to the metallurgical bonds and multi-layered zinc-iron alloy coating from galvanizing, the steel components were able to receive a quality, low-maintenance finish that would handle tough environmental shifts in the area. This coating protection system would far outlast any paint system that would lead to chipping or deterioration after just a few years. The self-healing properties of galvanizing around imperfections and abrasions would ensure that the handrails, drink rails, and other features that would be in constant contact with attendees of the field would remain smooth and structurally sound for generations to come.

Where galvanizing really shined compared to other options was in the financials. The long-term savings made it the premium choice because project members were able to eliminate the need for costly routine repaint and touch-ups, ultimately wasting time and resources over the life cycle of the new stadium.

Partnering with the customer from start to finish, the galvanizer chosen for the project brought decades of expertise in coating protection for a wide variety of projects. Their experience was invaluable in navigating the complex fabrication details and strict deadlines throughout the course of the project. Working closely with the fabricator and general contractor, the galvanizer was able to provide value-added services around vent and drain education, design and galvanizing best practices to make the entire process as smooth as possible.

Standing as a symbol for sustainable design, The Ballpark at America First Square connects locals and tourists alike with its perforated façade reflecting the silhouette of Utah’s mountain peaks in the distance. Choosing hot-dip galvanizing for the project will ensure that nearly 100 years down the road baseball fanatics will enjoy the comfort of a structurally sound baseball field in the downtown Daybreak community.