Great American Ball Park will receive upgrades this offseason, as the Cincinnati Reds plan to convert media space behind home plate into a premium area that should add a new layer to the fan experience.
Leading up to the 2020 season, the Reds will create a new premium seating area known as the Press Club. A space behind home plate previously reserved for working members of the media will be renovated into the new premium area, which will be designed as a bourbon-themed club. There will be a mixture of seating options within the Press Club, as guests will have the option of four-top tables, extra wide theatre-style seating, and high-top chairs.
Along with a view of the field, the club will feature several food and beverage amenities. Those include all-inclusive food and beverages; a fully stocked bar that serves a broad selection of bourbon, beer, wine and spirits; high-end food options with customizable offerings, and in-seat service. In another unique feature, guests will be given access to a private locker intended for storage of personal wine/liquor during games.
The Press Club represents one component of this offseason project, as the Reds will also create new media space on Great American Ball Park’s Suite Level to make up for the area lost through the conversion into a new premium space. The new media space will be located on the third-base side of the ballpark.
With the addition of the Press Club, the Reds should be able to change a few aspects of the fan experience at Great American Ball Park. The most apparent component is food and beverage service, as the Press Club will provide a new area to serve higher-end food and drink options. Additionally, this renovation allows the Reds to repurpose a space that has been off limits to fans and create a premium experience that should come with a good view of the action.
Notably, there could be other upgrades at Great American Ball Park prior to the 2020 season. Over the summer, Hamilton County officials approved plans to partner with the Reds to cover the cost of a new videoboard at the ballpark. The videoboard will replace the current display in left field, which was first installed 10 years ago, and is expected to be in place by next season.
Rendering courtesy Cincinnati Reds.
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