‘That’s the past’: Demolition for closed McCoy Stadium set for mid-March

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — It was known for the swing of the bat from Pawtucket Red Sox players, and soon McCoy Stadium will be under the swing of a sledgehammer.

McCoy was home of the Boston Red Sox farm team PawSox and the famous 33-inning game in 1981, with countless Red Sox legends honing their game on its field.

Now the shuttered stadium is officially scheduled for demolition.

According to a statement from Pawtucket officials, access to the stadium and Pariseau Field will be closed off to the public the last week of February, and the demo process will begin in mid-March.

The site will be used to build a new state-of-the-art high school with a target opening date of September, 2029.

“McCoy Stadium holds a special place in the hearts of so many, filled with cherished memories of baseball games, concerts, and community events. While we honor and celebrate its rich history, we also move forward and focus on what’s next for our city,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien.

“We are creating a state-of-the-art high school that invests in our students, our families, and our entire community. This project will provide transformative opportunities for generations to come, and we thank our residents for their support and patience as we embark on this critical journey together.”

“I grew up a block from McCoy and the stadium was essentially the backdrop for my entire childhood. It even provided me with my very first job hawking popcorn and peanuts in the stands,” said Pawtucket City Council President Terrence E. Mercer.

“But that’s the past; this project is about the future, the future of Pawtucket, and the future of generations of students thirsty for knowledge and growth, and eager for the additional CTE training that will assuredly make attainable the bright future we wish for them.”

McCoy Stadium hosted its final game in 2019, and the PawSox moved down the road to Polar Park in Worcester, Mass., becoming the WooSox.