If you've spent a summer evening cheering on the Everett AquaSox, you know there's something special about baseball in Snohomish County. Now, Everett is taking another major step toward creating an even bigger destination for sports, entertainment, and community gatherings.
Earlier this month, the Everett City Council approved the purchase of the first four properties needed for the proposed Everett Outdoor Event Center, marking an important milestone for the $120 million project. If everything continues moving forward, construction could begin later this year, with the venue opening as early as the end of 2027.
While the AquaSox would be the centerpiece, this project is about much more than baseball!
The vision is a multi-purpose venue that could also become home to a professional United Soccer League team while hosting concerts, festivals, community celebrations, and other outdoor events throughout the year. Plans also include a public park and walking loop, creating a space that residents can enjoy even on days when there isn't a game being played. One of the things I love most about projects like this is how they create places where people naturally come together. Whether you're meeting friends before first pitch, bringing the kids to a summer festival, or grabbing dinner downtown after a match, venues like this often become more than just stadiums. They become gathering places that help support local restaurants, shops, and small businesses while giving the community another reason to spend time downtown.
The project is still making its way through the approval and funding process, and additional property acquisitions are still needed before construction can begin. But with the first land purchases now approved, Everett has taken one of its biggest steps yet toward turning this vision into reality. Projects like this are a reminder that our communities are constantly evolving. As new destinations, businesses, and public spaces take shape, they create new reasons to explore, connect, and spend time close to home. It'll be exciting to watch this vision come to life over the next few years.
