HOK Sport unveiled the design plans in 2007, predicting a 2010 finish. The Kansas City Star reported that construction crews have been working 10 and 11-hour shifts to make the grand re-opening for the 2009 season.
With barely a month to go before the Major League Baseball 2009 season starts, the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority in Kansas City, Missouri said in its February report that the crews will still be constructing the first and third base entrances, pouring concrete for plazas and sidewalks and continuing with construction of roads surrounding the stadium.
“Fortunately, weather has been on the Royals side and exterior improvements are progressing ahead of schedule,” it said.
The work is taking place on both the exterior and interior of the ball park, and fans can expect new club level suites, restaurants and bars. There will be more restrooms and concession stands, which are both being redone, to avoid lines in the concourses.
A new restaurant and rooftop party deck will be just outside the right-field wall, and pregame amusements, like miniature golf and video batting tunnels, are being built behind the scoreboard, the Kansas City Star reported, including a Little K diamond for children.
Other members of the American League Central Division join the Royals in stadium work. The new Target Field in Minneapolis is slated to open for the Minnesota Twins’ 2010 opening day. And in Detroit, the Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy group submitted a plan to the Detroit Economic Growth Committee on Monday in attempts to save the Tigers’ previous stadium by redeveloping the remaining portion of the historic ballpark, WIDN reported yesterday.
