Mariners announce plan for $30 million in upgrades to T-Mobile Park
SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners announced Thursday $29.8 million in improvements and upgrades at T-Mobile Park for the 2020 season.
“Almost 49 projects that we’ll be working on this off season to keep the ballpark in tip-top form,” said Trevor Gooby, Senior Vice President of Ballpark Operations.
The projects are part of the Mariners' commitment to spend, over the next 10 years alone, at least $280 million to maintain, improve and upgrade the ballpark.
“This is a commitment for the Mariners to stay in Seattle a long time,” said Gooby.
The Mariners 25-year lease with the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District (PFD) specifies that the necessary improvements and upgrades are the Mariners' responsibility.
“At 20 years of age, T-Mobile Park is still in good condition and a great place to watch baseball. The work we will be doing for next season and the years to come will ensure that it continues to be a first class experience for fans and is our home for generations to come,” said Kevin Mather, Seattle Mariners President and Chief Executive Officer.
The biggest changes coming to the park will be ones fans won’t see.
“The painting, the air conditioning, the roof moving, those are all things that I as an average fan won’t notice, but those are all the important things to make sure we have this ballpark as a 100-year ballpark," said Gooby.
The franchise also will change three areas in the stadium to make them more social, including expanding access to ‘The Pen.'
Infrastructure Improvements -- $20.56 million
The 49 necessary capital improvements are required to keep the ballpark in good working order. The projects include:
On-going replacement of roof wheels, painting, plumbing, and other basic infrastructure work;
Replacement of the ballpark’s original, now 20-year-old sound system;
Replacement of failing point-of-sale system to improve the fan experience at concession stands;
ADA fan improvements.
Fan Upgrades -- $9.24 million
In addition to maintaining and improving the ballpark’s infrastructure, the 25-year lease between the Mariners and the PFD requires the Mariners to continually upgrade the fan experience at T-Mobile Park. The upgrade projects to be completed for the 2020 season will benefit fans on all levels of the ballpark.
The 2020 improvements and upgrades are subject to final approval by the PFD Board as well as City of Seattle permitting.
2020 Required Fan Upgrade Projects:
Expand the Left Field Gate to add 15 additional points of entry for fans and replace the existing Left Field ticket office with a new concession area that will connect to The T-Mobile ‘Pen;
Create a new bar and fan/group entertainment space at Lookout Landing above the left field foul pole on the View Level;
Create an elevated Rooftop Boardwalk above the Home Plate Gate rotunda with enhanced viewing areas, concessions, monitors and kids play activities;
Introduce a new seating option in the First Base Terrace Club with Terrace Club Loge Boxes and Terrace Club Tables to provide an alternative to single seats in favor of small group or social spaces for fans.
“In many ways, T-Mobile Park was ahead of today’s trend toward social spaces with The T-Mobile ‘Pen. We know that fans want to connect with friends and share their ballpark experience. The improvements at Lookout Landing, the Rooftop Boardwalk and Terrace Club will provide fans with even more open areas and flexible spaces to enhance their ballpark experience,” said Frances Traisman, Seattle Mariners Senior Vice President, Sales.
