Jim Spooner Field originally opened in 1981 with this central grandstand, but has
undergone significant renovations to make it look like it does today. Many of
those renovations took place in 2003 to make way for the incoming Pensacola Pelicans
of the Southeastern League. The Pelicans had just completed their first season
at little Pirate Field on the PSC campus next to the airport and immediately
outgrew the little facility (which had a capacity of less than 1000). Spooner
Field however was hardly ready for a professional team either, so the grandstand
was extended with new bleachers added down the lines. This helped to increase
capacity enough for the Pelicans to make this their permanent home. Eventually
this stadium grew until it reached the seating capacity of 2,500 which it remains
today. |