Kauffman Stadium Renovations
A Look At What Is New In Kansas City
The most notable addition to Kauffman Stadium are the new seating and viewing areas in front of the fountains. Beyond the right-center field wall is the Pepsi Party Porch, a standing-room area where ticket-holders are free to enter and watch the game at any time. Beyond the left-center field wall are new outfield box seats. Both of these areas are very close to the field and easily within home run range.
Additional outfield box seats have been built overlooking both bullpens, which sit behind the left and right field walls.
Despite all of the new seating there are actually between one-and-two thousand fewer seats than there were before renovations began. However, with the new concourses and viewing areas there are many more standing-room locations.
Dri Duck Fountain Seats
Though the average ticket price for the stadium have risen since last season, $7 general admission tickets can be purchased for Dri Duck Fountain Seats. These tickets go on sale only on game days and are located in deep left-center field behind (and next to) the left field fountains. Fans in these seats are likely to get wet, especially on windy days. Also, each game the first 100 ticket-buyers receive free hats.
Scoreboard
The CrownVision scoreboard, which was the first completed portion of the scheduled renovations, debuted itself on opening day, 2008. It measures 84 feet by 105 feet and upon its completion was the largest high-definition LED scoreboard in the world. It cost $8.3 million.
Outfield Experience
The newly renovated Outfield Experience is located behind the scoreboard. It features many activities for children, the largest of which is the John Deere Little K, a scaled-down baseball field. Other activities include a batting cage, a miniature golf course, a carousel, and a playground.
Other Additions
The Rivals Sports Bar (where any ticket-holder can sit at a table and dine on a first-come-first-served basis) and the Bud Light Party Deck on top of it offer patrons a wide view of the game from beyond the right field wall.
The Royals Hall of Fame Museum, which will open during the summer of 2009, is being constructed beyond the left field wall behind the visitor's bullpen. In addition to the historical memorabilia and interactive features, the site will also house Hall of Fame suites.
Cost
Jackson County, Missouri, voters approved a sales tax increase to help fund the $250 million renovations to the Truman Sports Complex, which includes both Arrowhead Stadium and Kauffman Stadium. Voters turned down the tax referendum that would have funded the construction of a massive rolling roof. The roof itself, usable by both stadiums, would have cost an estimated $200 million.
Sources
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