Cleveland Guardians announce plans for major remodel of Progressive Field
CLEVELAND (AP) — Back as a World Series title contender, the Cleveland Guardians are shifting ahead with upgrades to Progressive Field.
The workforce revealed on Thursday delayed closing plans for a “reimagining” of its downtown house, which has aged effectively since opening in 1994 however is now the eleventh oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball.
The Guardians have earmarked greater than $200 million to transform the higher deck, clubhouses and different areas over the following three years. The funds are a part of an total $435 million renovation mission included in a brand new lease settlement the workforce signed final 12 months by way of 2036.
The renovations shall be carried out in phases and the Guardians intend to have them carried out by the 2025 season opener.
The ballpark’s new look won’t embody a sportsbook or area devoted for playing, which grew to become authorized in Ohio on Jan. 1. The Guardians’ next-door neighbours, the Cleveland Cavaliers, opened a sportsbook inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHome final week.
MLB guidelines at the moment prohibit playing areas throughout the confines of a workforce’s ballpark.
“We’re in the process of working through what a retail sports (gaming) option might look like here at Progressive Field as we speak,” mentioned Brian Barren, the membership’s president of business operations.
On Wednesday, the Guardians introduced a multi-year partnership with bet365 to be the workforce’s unique cellular sports activities betting companion, however Barren mentioned the timing was only a coincidence with the renovations being introduced.
After a reputation change earlier than final season, the Guardians went 92-70 in 2022, ran away with the AL Central and pushed the New York Yankees to 5 video games within the Division Series earlier than being eradicated — with the majors’ youngest workforce.
While there have been substantial renovations previously on the ballpark, most not too long ago earlier than the 2016 season, the clubhouses haven’t been touched since they opened 28 years in the past.
Chris Antonetti, the Guardians president of baseball operations, mentioned the clubhouse refurbishment to coaching areas, kitchen amenities and different components is lengthy overdue and can enable the workforce to compete on the highest degree
“I’m hopeful that when our players and staff walk into the new facility they will feel excited and energized about the additional resources they have to help fuel their success as individuals and as a team,” he mentioned.
Antonetti mentioned the Guardians determined to not swap the house dugout from the third- to first-base facet after contemplating the transfer.
Based on beneficial suggestions the workforce obtained after its most up-to-date transform, the Guardians will create extra social areas contained in the ballpark to cater to followers searching for an expertise past watching the sport.
.acf-block-preview .br-related-links-wrapper {
show: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
hole: 20px;
}
.acf-block-preview .br-related-links-wrapper a {
pointer-events: none;
cursor: default;
text-decoration: none;
shade: black;
}
