GE Vernova Park’s June 3 opening marks a momentous milestone for the Greenville Triumph and Greenville Liberty soccer teams but represents only the beginning of a much larger proposition.
Upstate soccer fans will probably never know all the effort, collaboration and sheer tenacity it took to propel a new soccer stadium from an idea to the actual structure taking shape at Mauldin’s BridgeWay Station, but they will get the chance to help define the impact of that space and guide its continuing evolution.
Placemaking
The vision for a home stadium for Greenville Pro Soccer’s clubs was, from the outset, bigger than creating just a soccer facility. That vision pulled in the interest and financial support of state and local governments to partner with the soccer clubs and private enterprise to make the facility a reality.
For Hughes Investments Inc. founder and CEO Phil Hughes, GE Vernova Park is in many ways a fulfillment of the vision behind BridgeWay Station.
“From our first conversations with the City of Mauldin and Greenville Pro Soccer to now, we have been setting the stage for this milestone moment: the first home match at GE Vernova Park,” Hughes said. “We look forward to continuing to work alongside these incredible partners and building memories at BridgeWay Station for many seasons to come.”
Although fraught with challenges and unexpected hurdles, the years-long process of bringing the stadium to life has been hugely rewarding, said Ryan Peiffer, VP of development at Hughes Investments.
Even more rewarding is the prospect that fans and other visitors to the stadium and BridgeWay Station will shape the character of both and build community that will extend far beyond game days, Peiffer said.
“GE Vernova Park will change the way people experience BridgeWay Station, and it will provide a true gathering place for the community – a place where families create memories, friends come together, and the energy of the Upstate can be experienced year-round,” Peiffer said.
Believing in that broader vision and impact is one of the reasons GE Vernova became a partner in the stadium and secured naming rights. Investing in the community GE Vernova’s employees call home and where they spend so much of their time and energy was important to the company and its people, said Jason Reagan, GE Vernova Greenville Plant Leader.
“We’re proud that GE Vernova Park will carry that same energy by bringing people together, creating lasting memories and celebrating the pride we all share in this community and the people who make it special,” Reagan said.
The stadium also represents a significant investment for the City of Mauldin and is an emblem of the city’s commitment to improve the quality of life of its citizens, said Taft Matney, the city’s mayor pro tempore and chairman of city council’s economic planning and development committee.
“GE Vernova Park is a tremendous example of what can happen when public and private sectors come together around a shared vision,” Matney said. “This multi-use stadium gives the Greenville Triumph and Greenville Liberty a permanent home, creates a new destination for residents and visitors, and strengthens Mauldin’s position as a hub for sports, entertainment and economic development.”
Soccer’s promise
Soccer is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, and the Greenville Triumph and Greenville Liberty teams have built a devoted and enthusiastic fan base over the years.
Ensuring those fans have the best possible experience at GE Vernova Park is among the teams’ highest priorities, according to Zach Prince, club general manager and sporting director.
While the stadium will not be completely finished on opening day, it will give fans a satisfying taste of what it will become and how important it is to the future of local soccer, Prince said. “Soccer is a vehicle to drive community and positivity in the community.”
Prince said part of his vision for both soccer and the stadium will create an environment where it’s common for people to “high-five a stranger.” He added this is the type of energy and atmosphere the Triumph and Liberty teams want to create for their home stadium.
A great deal of thought and effort has gone into the various elements that will shape fan experience during games, from the caliber of the seating and the type of food on offer to what’s being displayed on the scoreboard and how long people have to stand in line, said Prince.
“While the space is still very much under construction, I want people to understand we’re not using that as a crutch and saying…it’s going to be great,” Prince said. “We want to make it great right now.”
For more information or tickets to upcoming games, visit greenvilletriumph.com.
GE Vernova Park fast facts
Besides being the home to the Greenville Triumph and Greenville Liberty soccer teams, the multi-use stadium will also host concerts, festivals and other community gatherings. The stadium:
- Is owned by the City of Mauldin, which contributed about $4.5 million toward its cost
- Features 4,006 seats but will be able to accommodate up to 15,000 visitors for non-sports events through on-field activation
- Will be operated by Hat Trick Properties LLC, a company created by Greenville Pro Soccer
