Metro Bank Park - Stadium Renovation

Stadium Renovation

Metro Bank Park received a $32 million renovation ($19.1 million in state funding). Originally the renovation was scheduled to begin in 2005. However, problems with the availability of state funding for the project have pushed it back until 2008, with the transfer of ownership between the 2007 and 2008 seasons. The renovation project was finished in two phases, with the first phase being completed before Opening Day 2009. The second phase of the project began in August 2009 and was completed prior to Opening Day 2010.

Renovations included a new boardwalk, new seats in left field, and a new video board.

The construction for the first phase of the project began immediately and continued into April 2009. The changes and additions to Metro Bank Park for the 2009 season are:

A public plaza and entrance was constructed in the left field corner,a boardwalk surrounding the outfield was constructed between the foul poles, a complete upgrade to the scoreboard,a new left field seating area, an outfield bar complete with drink rails, and new seating underneath the scoreboard,a new outfield wall constructed with static advertisement panels, and a new 8,600-square-foot (800 m2) Operations Building which houses the Senators front offices, ranger, security, first aid and the new box office along with the new Senators souvenir store, concession stand, and public rest rooms.

The second phase of the construction project began in August, 2009. This project included the comprehensive changes to Metro Bank Park that turned the stadium on City Island into one of the best and most unique ballparks in minor league baseball.The following is a comprehensive list of the renovation project

Complete new seating bowl upgrades with individual chair back seats replacing the present bench seating and roofing covering the majority of the seating bowl, construction of 20 suites with amenities including a glass wall located in the front of the suite to see the field and a in the back of the suite to see the city skyline,A new sound system, the creation of a "Midway" with activities and specialty areas geared towards children, teenagers and families, the completion of new concessions and restrooms on elevated concourses, upgraded picnic areas which effectively double the size of the stadium picnic facilities, the reconfiguration of field lights removal of two lights, addition of fixtures to remaining eight lights, re-lamp and re-aim of all lights, addition of quartz lighting bank for emergency purposes, the upgrade of the field-level concourse with brick pavers, the completion of the Operations Building by August 2009, a new press box including new media and scoreboard control rooms, a complete renovation of existing buildings, including the home and visitors clubhouses and the restroom facilities and the development of a reserved parking lot.

The total construction costs for the project are estimated at $32 million and the total development budget for the entire project, including all costs, is approximately $45 million. Prior to the 2005 a new playing surface was installed which is also a part of the $45 million total project cost.

In the 2008 offseason, the renovation got off the ground for the stadium, with $500,000 in funding going towards a new public plaza, and other small amenities to be built into the stadium. In the 2009 offseason, the rest of the stadium was renovated.