Edelman Financial Field, a stadium that was intended to be a vibrant hub in Ashburn, Virginia, never quite made it beyond the blueprints and broken ground. Located within the expansive Washington D.C. metropolitan area, this ambitious project was slated to be a 4,000-seat multisport facility, a cornerstone of the One Loudoun development. It was meant to be the grand stage for both the Loudoun Hounds, a professional baseball team in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, and the Virginia Cavalry FC, a soccer club that played in the North American Soccer League. The vision was grand: a place not just for sports, but for concerts and a myriad of other community events, intended to serve as the very downtown area for Loudoun County.
Location
The proposed site for Edelman Financial Field was meticulously chosen for its strategic positioning. Situated at coordinates 39°3′18.3708″N 77°27′10.6956″W / 39.055103000°N 77.452971000°W / 39.055103000; -77.452971000, it was nestled within the sprawling One Loudoun development. This ambitious undertaking was designed to be a significant residential and entertainment complex, envisioned to redefine the downtown area of Loudoun County. The proximity to major thoroughfares like Virginia Route 28 and Virginia State Route 7, along with its nearness to Dulles Town Center and Washington Dulles International Airport, suggested a thoughtful consideration of accessibility and regional integration. The stadium itself was planned to be highly visible from the southwestern corner of the interchange connecting Virginia Route 7 and the Loudoun County Parkway, ensuring it would be a prominent landmark.
Ownership and Operation
The ownership of Edelman Financial Field was vested in VIP Sports & Entertainment. This entity was responsible for the operational aspects of the stadium, including its management and the coordination of events. The naming rights, however, were secured by Ric Edelman’s Edelman Financial Services, a firm based in Fairfax County, Virginia. This partnership was announced on June 4, 2013, the very same day that construction officially broke ground. As part of the agreement, Edelman Financial Services was also slated to occupy office space within the One Loudoun complex, further integrating the financial services firm into the fabric of the development.
Capacity and Surface
The intended capacity for Edelman Financial Field was set at 4,000 seats. This figure was designed to accommodate the fan base of both the Loudoun Hounds and the Virginia Cavalry FC, while also allowing for flexibility for other events. The playing surface was planned to be FieldTurf, a synthetic turf known for its durability and consistent performance, suitable for the demands of both professional baseball and soccer. This choice of surface would have offered a modern playing experience, minimizing weather-related disruptions and providing a reliable playing field throughout the seasons.
Construction and Opening
The genesis of the Edelman Financial Field project traces back to December 2008, when developers of Kincora Village first approached Loudoun County officials with a proposal for a ballpark. This initial plan, dubbed "Kincora Ballpark," was situated on a 337-acre parcel and received approval from the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in July 2010. However, plans shifted. On October 1, 2012, a new agreement was announced, relocating the Loudoun Hounds to the One Loudoun development in Ashburn. This move necessitated a redesign and relocation of the stadium.
Ground was officially broken for Edelman Financial Field on June 4, 2013, marking the commencement of construction. The initial plan envisioned the stadium opening in 2015. However, the path to completion proved to be fraught with challenges. By November 27, 2013, The Washington Post reported that while some site work had occurred at One Loudoun, there was no visible indication of stadium construction. In February 2014, a revised plan emerged, detailing a phased construction approach. This downsizing was a response to a league request aimed at ensuring the projected revenue could adequately support the franchise. At this point, the stadium was still anticipated to be ready by late February or early March 2015, with approximately 4,000 seats. By April 2014, infrastructure work was reportedly complete, but stadium construction had come to a standstill.
A new financing proposal surfaced in April 2014, with the team seeking up to $55 million in taxable revenue bonds from the Loudoun County Economic Development Authority. Crucially, these bonds would not be county-backed, requiring the Board of Supervisors' approval due to the Authority's usual mandate for tax-exempt bonds. The project faced further legal hurdles when, in September 2014, One Loudoun initiated a lawsuit to terminate the lease with VIP Sports and Entertainment. The grounds for the lawsuit were VIP's failure to deliver the stadium by the agreed-upon April 2014 deadline. This legal dispute was eventually settled in February 2016, resulting in the termination of the lease.
By April 2018, local reports indicated that One Loudoun was exploring options to rezone the stadium site. The intention was to repurpose the land for a mixed-use development comprising restaurants, retail spaces, offices, and residential units, signaling a definitive shift away from the stadium project.
Tenants
Edelman Financial Field was designed to be the home venue for two distinct professional sports teams:
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Loudoun Hounds: This professional baseball team was a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. The league is known for its high level of play and often serves as a proving ground for players seeking to advance to Major League Baseball. The Hounds were a key part of the initial vision for the stadium, intended to bring professional baseball to the region.
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Virginia Cavalry FC: This soccer club was set to compete in the North American Soccer League. The NASL, during its existence, was a significant professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The Cavalry FC's presence would have diversified the sporting offerings at Edelman Financial Field, catering to soccer enthusiasts.
The stadium's design, with its capacity and multisport potential, was a direct reflection of the needs of these two franchises, aiming to provide them with a dedicated and state-of-the-art facility. The failure to construct the stadium meant that neither the Hounds nor the Cavalry ever played a home game there.
Architect
The architectural design for Edelman Financial Field was entrusted to Clarke Caton Hintz (CCH). This firm was responsible for translating the vision of a modern, functional, and aesthetically pleasing sports venue into tangible plans. Their role would have encompassed the entire design process, from initial concepts to detailed blueprints, ensuring that the stadium met the requirements of the tenants, the developers, and the local authorities. While the stadium was never built, CCH's involvement highlights the serious intent and planning that went into the project's initial stages.