We heard about this at the Winter Meetings, and it now looks like the Frisco RoughRiders (Class AA; Texas League) are moving ahead with a very cool lazy river attraction for Dr Pepper Ballpark for 2016.
The plan would remove the existing pool in right field and install a much larger lazy river attraction, where fans would float along the outfield wall, as shown above. The plan also includes a new cabana area and bar, new water attractions (including a waterfalls that can used for projected images) as well as a new party deck. From the Dallas News:
The idea right now is to take out the existing swimming pool – which is available for private rental – and replace it with a much larger lazy river feature. The design also calls for several cascading water features that will allow images to be projected on them. Early designs also show a new cabana and bar and wood party decks….
Frisco RoughRiders executive vice president and general manager Jason Dambach said the pool upgrades would add to the fan experience.
“The city, as you know, they’re great to work with, great partnership, very committed to keeping the ballpark fresh and modern,” he said, adding, “It’s going to be a really cool thing hopefully if we can get that pool project to come to fruition here at the ballpark.”
The project would be funded by the city and the RoughRiders, with design from Magill Associates. The city of Frisco had budgeted $6 million in ballpark improvements for 2015, and $1.038 million is left in that fund. That money would be applied to the new lazy-river project, with the team picking up all costs past that amount. The plan has not been approved by Frisco, but the process has begun.
It’s the latest upgrade to Dr Pepper Ballpark by RoughRiders CEO & General Partner Chuck Greenberg and crew. The ballpark underwent extensive upgrades for the 2015 season, earning the team our 2015 award for Best Ballpark Improvements. Those 2015 upgrades included a new high-definition videoboard five times larger its predecessor, new outfield wall LED signage, a new sound system, a new State Fairway with a rotating series of locally operated food trucks and other fair-themed portables reminiscent of a walk along a midway, a new team store and the new Bull Moose Saloon.
