EwingCole Completes Transformative HomeTrust Park Centennial Restoration & Capital Improvements Project Ahead of 2026 Season
News
ASHEVILLE, NC (April 2026) – As Minor League Baseball continues to evolve, McCormick Field reopens as HomeTrust Park, and a revitalized, future-ready venue shaped to elevate player performance while redefining the total fan experience.
EwingCole has completed a multi-year, comprehensive renovation of HomeTrust Park, home of the Asheville Tourists (High-A affiliate of the Houston Astros), delivering a modernized facility that meets Major League Baseball’s (MLB’s) Professional Development League standards while preserving the character of one of Minor League Baseball’s (MiLB’s) oldest active ballparks.
Baseball has been played on the site of HomeTrust Park since 1924, with the current stadium dating to 1992. The 4,000-seat ballpark had not received any significant upgrades since then, so a comprehensive renovation was needed to ensure the ballpark’s long-term viability as a regional asset.
With support from the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, the Asheville Tourists, Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, and other community partners, EwingCole led the design of what represents one of the largest capital improvements in the city’s history, reimagining the ballpark as both a high-performance sports venue and a gathering place for community events.
“There is a long, rich history of baseball in Asheville. Legendary players like Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, and Willie Stargell have played at HomeTrust Park, one of the oldest professional ballparks still in use and an important regional asset,” said Craig Schmitt, Project Principal for EwingCole. “EwingCole is proud to be the Architect and Engineer for this game-changing renovation that has modernized the players’ facilities, created new fan amenities, and will generate new uses beyond baseball.”
The renovation touched nearly every part of the facility. Key improvements include:
- A new 9,260-square-foot home clubhouse with integrated batting tunnels
- A fully renovated visiting clubhouse and dedicated strength and conditioning facilities
- Expanded premium and group hospitality areas, including a new club lounge
- Enhanced fan amenities, including an expanded team store, improved ticketing areas, and a new entry plaza
- Upgraded sound system and new 70’w. x 34’ h. LED board, including a broadcast booth and video production room
Together, these improvements align the facility with current MLB standards while creating a more engaging and flexible environment for fans. The design also supports expanded programming beyond baseball, positioning the venue to host community events, concerts, and year-round activation.
“This is a transformational moment not just for our organization, but for Asheville as a whole,” said Brian DeWine, owner of the Asheville Tourists. “Working alongside EwingCole and our community partners, we’ve transformed McCormick Field into HomeTrust Park—reimagining it as both a premier baseball venue and a year-round destination that will drive community engagement and economic impact for years to come.”
EwingCole’s approach balances modernization with preservation, maintaining the ballpark’s historic identity while introducing contemporary infrastructure that ensures its relevance for decades to come. The result is a cohesive, performance-driven environment that strengthens HomeTrust Park’s role as both a civic asset and a regional destination.
