Ed Smith Stadium is expected to complete the renovation project in the next six weeks. The stadium will get new amenities such as triple the amount of concession and beer stands, 100 additional toilets and urinals, and shaded awnings. The renovation project has been handled by locally managed W.G. Mills, along with Hunt Construction Group.
The largest and most notable part of the renovation is the addition of the second-floor concourse. The new level will feature restrooms, concessions and wheelchair access. Additionally, the area will be mostly shaded helping to keep fans cool. Arches will be added to the two-storey façade with a direct view of the field. A 35,000 square feet, state-of-the-art clubhouse will also be added as part of the park’s facelift.
Behind home plate, the stadium’s main entrance will provide an immediate view of the entire field. An air-conditioned deli and retail store, concessions and TV monitors will be added. The old blue seats are also being replaced with refurbished dark green seats from Camden Yards and a 7ft-high outfield wall is being added to give the facility a homely feel.
Left field will feature a picnic area and serve as home for Boog’s Barbecue, the specialty of former Oriole Boog Powell and a Camden Yards favorite. The bullpens, formerly behind left and right field fences, will be relocated down the left and right field lines. Also planned is a berm on which fans will be able to sit. The addition of seats and standing room will increase the stadium’s capacity from roughly 6,500 to close to 9,000.
Construction is scheduled for completion by February 2011 to ensure that the facility is ready for its first game on 1 March 2011.
Built in 1989 to replace Payne Park, the stadium currently holds 7,500 people. In 1998 the Cincinnati Reds made Ed Smith Stadium their home until 2009 when their lease expired with the city and stadium. Prior to the Reds, The Chicago White Sox occupied the facility from 1989 to 1997.
