The Welland Jackfish sign a 10-year lease extension with Welland Stadium, solidifying their home base until 2033. The agreement follows city approval and promises upgrades, player signings, and heightened fan experiences for the upcoming 2024 baseball season. Photo Credit: Facebook/Welland Jackfish
The Welland Jackfish and City of Welland have agreed to terms on a new 10-year lease for the team to call Welland Stadium home, effective immediately and running through the 2033 season.
The lease terms were approved by Welland City Council.
“The City of Welland is pleased to sign a long-term lease with the Welland Jackfish” said Frank Campion, City of Welland Mayor. “This outstanding organization has quickly grown its fan base by providing top quality baseball as well as an amazing entertainment experience. We are happy to be able to enjoy the team for years to come.”
The Jackfish, established in 2019 as a member of the Intercounty Baseball League, has called Welland Stadium home since the team’s inception. The team enjoyed strong, steady fan support in its Welland home since its first game, ranking at the top of the IBL during their first season.
“Welland Stadium or The Pond as our fans have come to know it is our home, and we’re thrilled to announce that it will remain our home,” Ryan Harrison, Jackfish President and Director of Fun, said,
“It’s a privilege to play in a first-class venue in front of the best fans in the league, and we are excited to show that we are here to stay and make a long-term commitment to the city and region. I would also like to thank the City of Welland for their hard work and support through this process.”
The new lease comes on the heels of upgrades the club and city have made since the end of the 2019 season including new paint throughout the stadium, new MLB quality dugout fencing, new infield, concession upgrades, new video board, stadium seating, new group areas, and more. With this new commitment, the Jackfish will also look to continue capital upgrades including a new 40-foot merchandise store on the first base berm, and a new group patio.
“We are excited to announce we will be improving our concessions and not only adding a new concession area but a great new group patio that will fit up to 50 people.”
The Jackfish have also released their 5th-anniversary logo to celebrate five amazing seasons in the Rose City.
202 has been named the “Year of the FINatic” and will see increased fan interaction, entertainment and craziness that Jackfish fans have come to enjoy.
And while Harrison was thrilled to announce changes at and to Welland Stadium, he also said the team has made four soon to be announced player signings.
“All four are from the western part of Canada,” explained Harrison. “One pitcher for sure was the west coast pitcher of the year, so that’s exciting.”
The 2024 Home Opener is slated for Saturday, May 18th at 6:05 PM. Single-game tickets go on sale on April 1st, 2024.
The Welland Jackfish are a member of Canada’s best league, the Intercounty Baseball League. The over 100-year old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world, with the league established in 1919, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. For more information, visit wellandjackfish.com or follow the Jackfish on Facebook, Instagram and X at @wellandjackfish.
Rod Mawhood is a lifelong Niagara native who has had the pleasure of working in all three mediums – Radio, Print and TV – for over 20 years. His first announcing gig was with the then St. Catharines Stompers. Since then he’s worked in radio and TV in Toronto, and currently is the announcer for the Niagara IceDogs and Niagara River Lions.
Rod also covers the Buffalo Bills for FOX Sports and the Buffalo Sabres for NBC Sports.
