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Cal Poly and Dignity Health Central Coast Announce Partnership

Cal Poly and Dignity Health Central Coast are proud to announce their partnership on the Baggett Stadium Enhancement Project. The project includes a new two-story baseball clubhouse and permanent seating which will raise the capacity of Baggett Stadium to between 3,250 and 3,500.

In recognition of Dignity Health Central Coast’s contribution to the project, the clubhouse will be named the Dignity Health Baseball Clubhouse. Dignity Health’s Central Coast hospitals include French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC), Marian Regional Medical Center (MRMC), and Arroyo Grande Community Hospital (AGCH). 

The joint announcement was made in conjunction with the opening game of Cal Poly’s Big West Conference baseball series against Cal State Fullerton Friday, May 13, 2016. FHMC President & CEO Alan Iftiniuk and Joe Diefenderfer, VP Chief Strategy Officer for Dignity Health Central Coast, participated in the ceremonial first pitch.

“We have a very special partnership with our Dignity Health Central Coast hospitals,” said Mustang Director of Athletics Don Oberhelman. “This commitment by Dignity Health Central Coast allows us to provide a top-quality clubhouse and state-of-the-art sports medicine facility to our baseball student-athletes.” 

Iftiniuk said, “After meeting with Athletics Director Don Oberhelman and head baseball coach Larry Lee, we knew this was a project in keeping with Dignity Health Central Coast’s mission of community service and promoting active, healthy lifestyles. We are proud to support our Mustangs. 

“Cal Poly is our ‘home team’ here on the Central Coast, and we know the Cal Poly baseball program has a special place in the hearts of Central Coast residents,” Iftiniuk added. “We are proud to support this excellent, top-rated local sports program.” 

The new clubhouse will be built on the site of the existing clubhouse. The current facility will be demolished down to the concrete pad. In its place, the first floor will include lockers for coaches and umpires, an equipment and laundry room, and a mud room for players to clean their cleats. 

The Newkirk Pavilion and Tom Lee Legends Lobby will occupy the second floor between Krukow’s Klubhouse and the batting cages. Also atop the players' locker room will be coaches' offices, restrooms and a study room.

Chuck Cova, Dignity Health Senior Vice President, Operations, said, “Our employees, physicians and volunteers are committed to providing safe, quality, excellent health care. Collaborating with community partners like Cal Poly is a natural extension of our mission and our passion to ensure all who live, work and play here on the Central Coast have access to the best health care possible.”   

Cal Poly president Jeffrey D. Armstrong and Mustang baseball coach Larry Lee praised Dignity Health for supporting this exciting project.

“After several renovations throughout athletic facilities at Cal Poly, this will be our first new facility in 10 years,” said Armstrong. “On behalf of Cal Poly and our student-athletes, I cannot say thank you enough to Dignity Health for being our lead supporter for the project, and to all the alumni, parents and community members who have stepped up to make this vision a reality.” 

Added Lee, “This facility will provide our student-athletes a home away from home. It will give them the chance to provide academic, sports medicine, nutrition, state-of-the-art technology and a locker room to be proud of. The addition of the Tom Lee Legends Lobby and the Newkirk Pavilion will allow us to recruit top student-athletes with a clubhouse that is cutting edge with other programs on the West Coast.” 

Given the go-ahead last May to begin architectural design work and secure bids from contractors, the project includes an expanded locker room, state-of-the-art athletic training and physical therapy room, a lounge/kitchen area, a dressing room for umpires, coaches' offices, study room, the Newkirk Pavilion and the Tom Lee Legends Lobby.

Supporters of the new clubhouse will enjoy a climate-controlled suite on game days, allowing warmth and shelter on cooler nights and air conditioning on game days. It will have fully catered food and beverage and provide unparalleled views of Baggett Stadium and the surrounding San Luis Obispo skyline with its floor-to-ceiling glass windows and spacious patio area.  

Current schedule for the project calls for architectural and design work and the solicitation of contractors' bids during the current academic year, with groundbreaking following the 2016 baseball season. The team will use temporary locker facilities while the project is built.

Cal Poly Associate Director of Athletics Ashley Offermann has identified 29 of the 30 founders necessary for the project, making significant pledges over a five-year period.  Individuals with a desire to support the project can contact Offermann at [email protected] or by calling (805) 440-9792.

Publish date: 

Wednesday, May 18, 2016