The Bronx Bombers broke ground on their new stadium Wednesday.

The Yankees have played at their current Bronx ballpark since 1923. The $800 million project is slated for completion by the 2009 season. The 53,000-seat stadium will be built on the current site of MaCombs Dam and Mullaly parks. Many park advocates are against the stadium because they say it will take away valuable parkland. However, the team has plans to build new parks to make up for the land the Bronx will be losing.

The team was cleared to move forward with construction after a judge shot down a last-minute environmental challenge to the plans. The judge?s decision noted that the Yankees need a modern stadium with more off-street parking.

Governor George Pataki (R-NY) and Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R-NY) were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony. Construction for the new stadium will begin Thursday.

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