Solid Structures Partners With the Norfolk Tides to Build the Salute to Service Stage

Opening Day always carries a certain energy in Norfolk.

It is the return of the baseball season, of course. But around Harbor Park, it also signals something bigger: warmer nights, packed stands, familiar traditions, and the kind of local moments people look forward to all year.

This is what made this project such a natural fit for Solid Structures.

Just in time for Opening Day, the Solid Structures team, led by Carlos and crew, partnered with the Norfolk Tides to build a stage at Harbor Park called the Salute to Service Stage.

Built for fans, families, and the moments that happen before the first pitch, the stage adds a new gathering space inside Harbor Park while also honoring the service members and military families who are such a big part of the Hampton Roads community.

A New Gathering Space at Harbor Park

For a lot of people in Hampton Roads, Harbor Park is more than just a baseball stadium. Harbor Park has always been one of those places that brings together all kinds of people from across Hampton Roads.

It is where families spend Friday nights together. It is when kids get their first baseball glove signed. It is where coworkers meet up after work, where fireworks light up the sky after big games, and where Opening Day feels like the unofficial start of spring.

Since opening in 1993, Harbor Park has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in Norfolk and one of the most loved ballparks in Minor League Baseball. The stadium seats more than 12,000 fans and hosts dozens of games and events every season.

The Salute to Service Stage gives fans another place to gather before games, during events, and throughout the season.

It is the kind of addition that makes the overall experience feel even more special.

Why the Salute to Service Stage Matters

The name of the stage matters just as much as the structure itself.

In Hampton Roads, military service is part of everyday life. Norfolk is home to the world’s largest naval base, and countless local families are connected to the military in one way or another. Service members, veterans, and military families are deeply woven into the community.

That is why a name like “Salute to Service” carries real meaning.

The Norfolk Tides have long shown appreciation for military families through social events, tributes, Armed Forces Nights, and in-game recognition throughout the season. The new stage continues that tradition in a way that feels lasting and visible.

It is not just another part of the stadium. It is a space built with the local community in mind.

Built Through Local Partnerships

Projects like this do not happen without the right team behind them.

Along with Solid Structures, the Salute to Service Stage came together with support from the Trex Company, and AG Wraps.

Trex materials are known for their durability, weather resistance, and low maintenance, which makes them a great fit for a high-traffic outdoor environment like Harbor Park. That is especially important in a coastal area like Hampton Roads, where heat, humidity, and changing weather can take a toll on outdoor materials.

AG Wraps is also adding the finishing fascia touches to the stage ahead of Opening Day, helping bring the entire project together.

The final result is something that feels polished, practical, and built to last.

It Is Never Just a Build

One of the biggest reasons this project feels so aligned with Solid Structures is because it reflects what the company has always believed.

It is never just a build. A deck becomes the place where everyone gathers after a long week. A pergola becomes the backdrop for birthdays, dinners, and late summer nights. A patio becomes where people sit with family, host friends, and make memories they will remember years later.

The same mindset is what made the Salute to Service Stage such a meaningful project.

Before the first pitch is thrown, people will gather there. They will catch up with friends, take photos, grab a drink, and enjoy everything that comes with Opening Day at Harbor Park.

Years from now, they may not remember every detail about the stage itself. But they will remember who they were with. They will remember the game, the feeling of being there. That is what Solid Structures builds.