Cedar Rapids Kernels to host ribbon-cutting April 18 for stadium renovations

Cedar Rapids Kernels annex ribbon cutting
The Cedar Rapids Kernels' new annex at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids. CREDIT CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS

The Cedar Rapids Kernels will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 18 to celebrate recent renovations at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. April 18 at 950 Rockford Rd. SW in the new Annex, located in the lower parking lot of the stadium.

“We’re pleased to have the Cedar Rapids Kernels as an Economic Alliance member and community partner,” Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance executive director Doug Neumann said in a release. “Having this minor league baseball team in our backyard for families and community members to enjoy is something we don’t take for granted. We look forward to getting a firsthand look at the stadium improvements and celebrating the completion of this project.”

The Kernels ribbon cutting ceremony will celebrate $5 million of renovations at Veterans Memorial Stadium this offseason. The improvements include a new playing field, LED video scoreboard and stadium annex, as well as extensive locker-room renovations.

“We’ve had baseball in Cedar Rapids since 1890, and we are a staple of family entertainment in Eastern Iowa,” said Doug Nelson, CEO of the Cedar Rapids Ball Club Inc. “These renovations enable the ballpark to comply with Major League Baseball’s facility requirements and ensure we keep Kernels baseball in Cedar Rapids for decades to come. I want to extend a special thank you to the City of Cedar Rapids, Cedar Rapids Veterans Commission, contractors and the community of Cedar Rapids.”

The Kernels, the high Class A minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, play in the Midwest League and opened their 2023 home season April 11 against the Quad Cities River Bandits. Single-game tickets are now on sale for the 2023 season.