The crumbling Durham Athletic Park will get some needed attention tomorrow, when Durham city officials break ground on a $5 million restoration project. In addition to providing a home to the Durham Bulls minor league baseball team from 1926 to 1994, the ballpark was also the set for Bull Durham. Yes, Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon all spent time at this historical ballpark.

The long needed renovations will “upgrade the infrastructure, restrooms, concessions and seating bowl, while at the same time create picnic areas and concourses that reflect the historic quality of the ballpark,” according to a city news release, as well as the installation of a new state-of-the-art playing field. The work is scheduled to be complete in December 2008.

After that, the ballpark will play host to all of NCCU’s home games, as well as serve as home field for the School of the Arts and for local softball and baseball leagues. It also will also continue serve as a venue for the Bull Durham Blues Festival and the World Beer Festival.

The 9 a.m. ceremony is open to the public. For directions, click here.