Major League Baseball franchise the Seattle Mariners has announced that T-Mobile Park will undergo $29.8m (£24.2m/€27.3m) in improvements and upgrades in time for the 2020 season.
The work will be carried out during the offseason and includes 49 basic infrastructure projects, as well as plans to enhance the fan experience across the 47,000-seat stadium.
The Mariners plan on spending at least $280m to maintain, improve and upgrade T-Mobile Park over the next 10 years alone. The Mariners’ 25-year lease agreement with the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District dictates that the team will have responsibility for the ballpark’s necessary improvements and upgrades.
Work will include the ongoing replacement of roof wheels, painting, plumbing and other basic infrastructure work; replacement of the 20-year-old sound system; replacement of the point-of-sale system and improvements for fans with disabilities. Infrastructure improvements will total $20.56m.
Fan upgrades will total $9.24m and include the expansion of Left Field Gate to include 15 additional points of entry, a new bar and fan/group entertainment space at Lookout Landing, an elevated Rooftop Boardwalk above the Home Plate Gate and a new seating option in the First Base Terrace Club.
The Lookout Landing will create a rooftop bar providing views of the stadium and the Seattle skyline. The Mariners said the space will have a “casual backyard experience” and feature bench seating and picnic tables.
The Rooftop Boardwalk will include a raised walkway for enhanced views of Puget Sound, along with bench seating and tables, outdoor LED video monitors, concession stands, a new bar area and kids-themed activities.
The Terrace Club will create a new seating concept through replacing a number of single seats in the First Base Club with 18 Terrace Club Tables that will accommodate four people each. Other elements of the project will include loge boxes with padded sofa-style seats, video monitors, mobile charging devices and in-seat wait staff service.
Mariners president and chief executive Kevin Mather said: “At 20 years of age, T-Mobile Park is still in good condition and a great place to watch baseball. The work we will be doing for next season and the years to come will ensure that it continues to be a first-class experience for fans and is our home for generations to come.”
Frances Traisman, senior vice-president of sales for the Mariners, added: “In many ways, T-Mobile Park was ahead of today’s trend toward social spaces with The T-Mobile ‘Pen. We know that fans want to connect with friends and share their ballpark experience. The improvements at Lookout Landing, the Rooftop Boardwalk and Terrace Club will provide fans with even more open areas and flexible spaces to enhance their ballpark experience.”
The stadium was previously known as Safeco Field but T-Mobile assumed naming rights at the start of 2019 as part of a 25-year deal. Safeco had sponsored the stadium for 20 years.
Image: MLB.com
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