The Rochester Red Wings (Class AAA; International League) and Monroe County are pitching a $7.5-million renovation of Frontier Field — the first major upgrade since the ballpark opened in 1996.
The improvements would potentially add more group areas, a museum, new field, renovated concourse and suites, and new entrance to the ballpark. The state is being asked to pay $4.5 million toward the renovations, with $3 million paid by Monroe County and the team. From the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle:
The proposal is based on recommendations from a stadium consultant hired by the Red Wings, according to the county. Restrooms, stadium lighting, the sound system and clubhouses all are on the table for updating or upgrading, along with some new safety features.
“I think that we would do much of this as soon as possible,” Red Wings president, CEO and COO Naomi Silver said….
The Red Wings would put in $600,000, adding to the $400,000 recently invested in a new scoreboard and message board. The team has invested about $2 million in different areas over the years, Silver said, and Monroe County has put in at least that much.
Compared to other International League facilities work done in recent years — such as the total makeover of PNC Field, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders — this is an exceedingly modest request. The Red Wings are one of the more efficient MiLB team when it comes to spending, and considering it’s been 18 years with no major improvements, the Red Wings have a pretty strong argument for public spending on a community resource. (Remember, the Red Wings are a community-owned team.) The state is expected to consider the funding request this fall.
Renderings courtesy of the Rochester Red Wings.
—-
Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.
Are you a subscriber to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter? You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!
Follow Ballpark Digest on Google + and add us to your circles!