Blue Coats delay opening of Wilmington's 76ers Fieldhouse until Jan. 23

Construction delays have pushed the Delaware Blue Coats’ opening game in the new 76ers Fieldhouse to Jan. 23, the NBA Gatorade League team said Wednesday.

The Blue Coats had hoped to play the first game at their Wilmington arena on Jan. 4.

But that game against the Grand Rapids Drive has been moved to Jan. 29 and home games Jan. 9 and 11 have been switched to the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

The first contest at the 76ers Fieldhouse is now slated for Jan. 23 against the Memphis Hustle at 7 p.m.

“We only have one chance to do this right,” Blue Coats spokesman Alex Yoh said of building’s opening. “The court is down and the baskets are up but there’s a lot more to it than just the arena. Some of the work that still has to be done involves the surrounding roadways.”  

Yoh added that the rainy weather the last several months has slowed some aspects of the work.

Ticket holders to January games will be provided alternative options if they cannot attend the adjusted games, according to the Blue Coats. They should call 302-504-7587.

The Blue Coats, formerly the Delaware 87ers, are 6-10 going into their Thursday game against the Stockton Kings in Las Vegas. They’ve played 12 of their first 16 games on the road with one in Philadelphia and three at the University of Delaware’s Bob Carpenter Center, their former home.

Construction of the 76ers Fieldhouse was announced last December. Ground was broken in August. It’s located where South Market Street (U.S. Route 13) and Garasches Lane intersect in south Wilmington.

The 161,000 square-foot field house has a price tag of roughly $30 million. The Buccini/Pollin Group is constructing the facility in a joint ownership venture with the Philadelphia 76ers. A main basketball arena will seat 2,500.

It is a multi-purpose recreational center also containing two full-size artificial turf soccer fields – one indoor and one outdoor – and two additional full-size basketball courts.

The facility will also house a Nemours sports medicine clinic, Titus Sports Academy performance training center and retail and office space.

Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @kevintresolini.

MORE ON 76ERS FIELDHOUSE:

Delaware taxpayers contribute millions to Buccini/Pollin's 76ers Fieldhouse

Wilmington becomesnew home for G League team