Work has officially commenced for the redevelopment project around MetLife Dome, the home of the Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB) franchise the Saitama Seibu Lions.
The redevelopment, which marks the 40th anniversary of the team’s move to their current hometown of Tokorozawa, Saitama, includes building of a new office block, the official team shop directly in front of the dome, indoor training facility, and the Young Lions Dormitory for the team’s youth players.
The team’s official website announced that a special ground-breaking ceremony involving a Shinto priest was held last month to pray for the safety and protection of the workers from accidents and natural disasters.
Takashi Goto, the owner of the Lions, said at the ceremony: “This year marks the 40th anniversary of the team’s birth in this land of Tokorozawa, and the MetLife Dome Area Redevelopment Plan is the biggest of the anniversary projects we have. The aim of the project is to make MetLife Dome as good a ballpark as possible so that the level of satisfaction our fans and customers have will be improved, and to develop our own young players by providing appropriate facilities that they deserve.
“Through this redevelopment project, we hope the Lions will regain its status as the nation’s ever winning force to be reckoned with, and build another golden era in the history of Japanese baseball.”
The Lions was originally formed in Fukuoka in 1950, and stayed in the Kyushu city until 1978.
News provided by The Stadium Hub
Main Image: Seibu Lions
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