NEWS BRIEFS: Stripers, Coca-Cola team up for stadium Front Porch

The Gwinnett Stripers, in conjunction with Diamond Baseball Holdings, have announced the first major renovation project in the 15-year history of Coolray Field. The Stripers are teaming up with Coca-Cola to create a new space, the Coca-Cola Front Porch, opening this spring in the seating bowl behind home plate.

Rising from the area that was Section 100, the Coca-Cola Front Porch will be the only large open-air deck located right off Coolray Field’s main concourse. Its features include:

  *   Flexible accommodations (approximately 1,500 square feet) for groups up to 150 people;
  *   The best group space in the ballpark, with fantastic views from right behind home plate;
  *   Fast and convenient entry, just steps from the main gate;
  *   Food service provided within the space, ensuring it is a place you can eat in and stay in for the entire game;
  *   Protection from the elements, thanks to its location under the roof.

In front of the Coca-Cola Front Porch will be eight 4-Topps Tables (ready in time for Opening Night on April 2 and now available for full-season memberships) and 72 individual seats. Creation of the Front Porch has also allowed for development of a new Concourse Suite down the first base line, a smaller and more intimate 12-person open-air suite located off the main concourse.

Stripers General Manager Erin McCormick says: “With the ongoing goal of creating a more premium experience for fans to enjoy Stripers baseball, we are pleased to partner with Coca-Cola to launch the new Front Porch. One of Coolray Field’s main benefits has always been how close you can sit to the future stars of the Atlanta Braves. Now we’re excited to add a new group area that puts them right in the heart of the action. We know this will be a hit with Stripers fans for many years to come.”

Larimer Design Architecture of Atlanta, known for its improvement projects at ballparks including the Atlanta Braves’ Truist Park and San Diego Padres’ Petco Park, designed the Coca-Cola Front Porch with input from the Stripers and DBH.

Construction begins this winter, with completion planned for May. Group dates and memberships for the space are on sale now. Contact the Stripers Ticket Office at 678-277-0340 to book your group.

NOTABLE

Douglass is first Peachtree Corners Black female council member

Douglass

Peachtree Corners’ first Black female city councilmember, Ora B. Douglass, will be sworn in on Tuesday, January 23 during the regular City Council meeting. Douglass was elected to the seat vacated by Lori Cristopher, the only female to serve on the Peachtree Corners City Council, upon her retirement.

Douglass earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Florida A&M University and a Master of Nursing degree at Emory University. She was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps, had over 13 years of service, was stationed in Hawaii and was part of the U.S. Army Reserves. 

She has worked at hospitals in the Atlanta area including Emory University, Grady Hospital and. Northside Hospital.  Douglass has also been at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Atlanta and VA Medical Centers in Carrollton and Oakwood. Douglass serves on the board of the Robert Fowler YMCA and is also a member of the Peachtree Corners Rotary Club. She married to Dr. Adrian Douglass and they have four children and three grandchildren. She and her husband are members of Friendship Baptist Church in Duluth.

Jackson EMC Foundation grants $60,600 locally 

The Jackson EMC Foundation board of directors awarded a total of $110,600 in grants for organizations during its recent meeting, including $60,600 to organizations serving Gwinnett County. 

  • $18,600 to Creative Enterprises, Inc., Lawrenceville, which provides employment opportunities, and social and life skills training to individuals with developmental disabilities.
  • $15,000 to Mosaic Georgia, Inc., Duluth, to provide assistance for its Children’s Advocacy Center program that includes family aftercare and counseling for clients in all counties served by Jackson EMC.
  • $12,000 to Helping Mamas, Norcross, to purchase 105,819 diapers to distribute to women and children in need in Gwinnett and Hall counties.
  • $10,000 to Fresh Wind Recovery Ministry, Inc., Athens, to provide admission fees for its Recovery Program for individuals with addiction in all counties served by Jackson EMC.
  • $5,000 to Giving Health, Inc., whose goal is to improve the health and well-being of individuals and families who cannot afford access to affordable healthcare to provide fees for 25 households in need in Jackson EMC’s service area with access to virtual medical and mental health services.   
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