The Creation of PETCO Park

Mayors' Task Force 1 recommends new, baseball oriented park for the long term survival and success of Major League Baseball in San Diego

Sep 19, 1997

The Padres engage a world class architectural team

Dec 16, 1997

City of San Diego Task Force 2 recommends the East Village as the site for a new ballpark and the surrounding 26 block "Ballpark District"

Jan 29, 1998

Proposition C passes by 59% majority vote

Nov 3, 1998

The Padres unveil a scale model of proposed ballpark

Feb 15, 1999

JMI Realty presents design plans for 33 story hotel and tower to be built just west of the ballpark

Aug 4, 1999

Symbolic foul pole ceremony: The Padres raise 70 foot foul pole to mark the site of construction.

Feb 12, 2000

"Ball Park Blast 1", implosion of the first building- former SDGE building

Apr 1, 2000

"Ball Park Blast 2", implosion of a five-story building- former San Diego Refrigeration, the last building standing in the footprint of the new ballpark site

Aug 12, 2000

Announcement of construction suspension effective 10-2-2000

Sep 16, 2000

Announcement that address of the new ballpark will be 19 Tony Gwynn Drive, honoring the retiring Padre hero

Oct 7, 2001

Mayor Dick Murphy gives the official "Notice To Proceed" with construction, ending 16 month suspension

Feb 16, 2002

Ballpark construction one-third complete

Aug 22, 2002

"Halfway Home" ceremony celebrates 50% construction complete

Dec 18, 2002

The Padres and PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. announce a 22-year sponsorship agreement that includes naming rights

Dec 22, 2002

Installation of first "Pacific Blue" seats

May 3, 2003

"Heading Home" ceremony marks 75% construction complete

Aug 4, 2003

Installation of Bermuda sod on the playing field

Sep 3, 2003

Last game of the Padres 35th and final season at Qualcomm Stadium; home plate is transferred to PETCO

Sep 28, 2003

The Padres bury for time capsules beneath first, second and third base and home plate at PETCO Park to be retrieved in 2029, 2044, 2069 and 2104

Dec 16, 2003

Substantial completion of PETCO Park. Keys and Certificate of Occupancy handed to the Padres

Feb 20, 2004

First Event: Aztec Invitational College baseball tournament. SDSU vs. Houston University

Mar 11, 2004

First Major League Baseball exhibition game. San Diego Padres vs. Seattle Mariners

Apr 3, 2004

Opening Day: San Diego Padres defeat the San Francisco Giants 4-3, in the first regular season game at PETCO Park

Apr 8, 2004