Atlantic City’s iconic Pop Lloyd Stadium has reopened following a $5.6 Million renovation project that transformed the venue from solely a baseball field into a multipurpose sports hub for Atlantic City youth and the entire community. This morning, City of Atlantic City Mayor Small, Sr. was joined by those involved in the project, along with City officials and Atlantic City community members, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the Stadium’s grand reopening.
“This is another promise made, another promise kept for the Small administration,” said Mayor Small. “I had a vision for a very long time to turn this baseball field into a multisport stadium, and I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish. This field looks better than it ever has, the residents of Atlantic City deserve that, and we are looking forward to creating memories for our community on this new field that will last a lifetime.”
Following renovations that began in June 2024, Pop Lloyd Stadium now features beautiful artificial blue and red turf along with brand-new dugouts, locker rooms, bleachers, restrooms, lighting, fencing, a scoreboard and a state-of-the-art sound system. In addition to baseball, softball and T-ball, the field can now be utilized for flag football, soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, and other sports and activities. Funding for the project came from a combination of American Rescue Plan money and 2022 Supplemental Transitional Aid. The contractor for the project is Atlantic City-based Weatherby Construction Company. Arthur Ponzio & Associates was hired as the project’s consultant.
Pop Lloyd Stadium is named after Baseball Hall of Fame inductee and Negro League star shortstop John Henry ‘Pop’ Lloyd, who played baseball, lived and worked in Atlantic City. The Stadium was built in the late 1940’s, with the last major renovation happening in the 1990’s. Former Negro League standout Pedro Sierra was on hand for today’s ribbon cutting. Through a study conducted through the City of Atlantic City Planning and Development department, it was determined the structure of the facility could be preserved through these latest renovations.
The first game at the newly renovated Pop Lloyd Stadium will be this Thursday, May 1st at 7:00 PM. Atlantic City High School is hosting Oakcrest High School. The City of Atlantic City Recreation division manages the facility, handling the schedule of events and programs. Some additional upcoming events already on the calendar for Pop Lloyd Stadium include the Benfica Soccer Camp, Atlantic City’s Adult Softball League and a baseball clinic for Atlantic City youth. To schedule an event, contact Atlantic City Recreation at 609-347-5643.
