Polar Park construction not expected to be disrupted by coronavirus

Photo | Grant Welker Construction crews in January were making significant progress on the building of the Polar Park stadium shell.

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By Brad Kane

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As businesses in the Central Mass. economy continue to react to concerns over the coronavirus, the construction of the $132-million Polar Park baseball stadium in Worcester's Canal District is not expected to be impacted.

Crews are working against a tight schedule to complete the publicly-owned stadium in time for the Worcester Red Sox to have their inaugural game in April 2021, following their move from Pawtucket, R.I. The project is being managed by Providence-based Gilbane Building Co. and Los Angeles-based AECOM Hunt.

Officials from the city, the construction team, and the WooSox met Friday morning as part of their weekly meetings, said City of Worcester spokesman Mike Vigneux. After the meeting, Vigneux said there has been no disruption to the construction and there are no scheduled plan to do so.

"Thank goodness," WooSox President Charles Steinberg said.

The team was scheduled to hold a ceremony Monday morning at 11 to mark the placing of the stadium's first steel beams, which will be put in place around what will be the park's third-base side, nearest the elevated train line running adjacent to the site.

In preparation for the team's final season in Pawtucket, Steinberg said the PawSox are enhancing their cleaning techniques, increasing the number of hand sanitizers, and adding extra cleaning staff.

"Employees have been allowed to work from home and communication has gone well so far," Steinberg said.

Minor League Baseball has delayed the start of its 2020 season, although hasn't specified a new date for Opening Day.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated.