The Erie SeaWolves (Class AA; Eastern League) will see a notable upgrade at their home this season, as Daktronics is set to install a new UPMC Park scoreboard.
In an action taken on Thursday, the Erie County Convention Center Authority’s board of directors approved a $789,959 bid from Brookings, SD-based Daktronics to install a new scoreboard at the ballpark. This marks the latest action to improve UPMC Park in recent months, as a new playing surface was installed prior to the 2019 season.
A previously approved $12 million state grant will help pay for the new scoreboard, which Erie Events officials expect will be installed at UPMC Park in June. More from GoErie.com:
Daktronics was the lowest of five bidders interested in providing the scoreboard, said Casey Wells, Erie Events’ executive director. The Convention Center Authority oversees Erie Events, which manages the ballpark at 110 E. 10th St.
Bids were accepted until March 28. Erie Events officials said previously that the new scoreboard was expected to cost between $900,000 and $1 million.
The Erie Times-News reported on April 10 that Daktronics had submitted the low scoreboard bid, and that Wells would ask the board to sign off on it.
Wells told the board that he expects the new scoreboard to be installed sometime in June.
More UPMC Park upgrades are expected to be completed for the 2020 season, with improved concession and restroom facilities, an upper-level club area that connects to the adjacent Erie Insurance Arena, expanded concourses, a new team store, exterior marquee, and other renovations in the works. UPMC Park was originally known as Jerry Uht Park when it opened in 1995. The SeaWolves were members of the Short Season A New York-Penn League at the time, with Double-A action arriving to Erie in 1999.
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