Taichung: CTBC Financial Holding Co. subsidiary Taiwan Life Insurance Co. is expected to sign a NT$60 billion (US$1.89 billion) build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract with Taichung for a 45,000-seat domed baseball stadium in October, Mayor Lu Shiow-yen said Wednesday.
According to Focus Taiwan, the city government has announced that, in addition to an international-standard baseball stadium capable of hosting concerts, the complex in Taichung's Shuinan Economic and Trade Park will also feature two hotels and a luxury shopping mall covering around 33,000 square meters.
The city government indicated that Taiwan Life has formed a partnership with Japan's Nippon-Ham Fighters to utilize the Nippon Professional Baseball team's expertise in stadium construction and operations. Mayor Lu, speaking before a Taichung City Council session, mentioned that the dome will take inspiration from Es Con Field Hokkaido, the Fighters' home stadium, which opened in 2023 and integrates baseball facilities with hotels, shopping, dining, leisure facilities, and smart technology applications.
Lu further stated that the partnership with the Fighters has been confirmed and is expected to expedite the construction process, which is anticipated to take around three years following a design phase of more than one year.