Moore, Royals join in UYA groundbreaking ceremony

KANSAS CITY — As the movers and shakers involved with the $14 million Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy project put on hard hats and grabbed silver shovels for a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning, the sun broke through the clouds at Parade Park.

The sunshine seemed symbolic, because the overriding theme of the day was about the bright outlook for Kansas City youth who will have the opportunity to participate in the Academy. The project is targeted for a Phase I completion in November. Phase I will include three baseball fields, one softball field, a walking trail with views of the baseball and softball diamonds, relocated basketball courts, relocated and renovated tennis courts and a relocated playground near the community center.

Today’s groundbreaking officially begins construction of @KC_UYA’s Phase 1 which is scheduled to open this Fall. pic.twitter.com/ukSHX2T0Fi

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) April 20, 2016

Today’s groundbreaking officially begins construction of @KC_UYA’s Phase 1 which is scheduled to open this Fall. pic.twitter.com/ukSHX2T0Fi

Kansas City mayor Sly James announced that, weather permitting, the site clearing is planned for May 11 and the mass excavation for May 16. Turf for the fields is expected to be installed in mid-to-late July.

“This project is very personal to me,” James said. “I’m a father who had a son who played baseball growing up. I know the lessons that he learned as a result of playing baseball. He developed a good, strong work ethic and learned what it means to be part of a team.

“As mayor, I can’t think of a better project. It’s not lost on me that 100 yards [away] is the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Now we’re bringing baseball right back to the doorstep of where it all started for the Negro Leagues.”

.@MayorSlyJames and #Royals GM Dayton …

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