Seattle Mariners $55m venue overhaul plans

Article posted by Coliseum, April 15^th, 2022

Image: T-Mobile

The Major League Baseball (MLB) team Seattle Mariners has revealed plans for a $55m overhaul of hospitality facilities at their residence – T-Mobile Park in Seattle (US) – ahead of its hosting next year’s Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Week.

The ‘MLB’ stated that the MLB team is to add a new premium club to replace the existing Press box and advance major renovations to the ballpark’s existing T-Mobile Park Diamond Club.

The Diamond Club, T-Mobile Park’s original all-inclusive premium experience, will undergo a major expansion and the first extensive refresh of the interior space since the ballpark opened in 1999. The new footprint will encompass 13,000 square feet, including a new kitchen and restrooms, to more easily accommodate the 400 Diamond Club members who are seated in the first eight rows behind the home plate.

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The Major League Baseball (MLB) team Seattle Mariners will spend $55 million to upgrade their home pitch – T-Mobile Park – and get rid of the old Press box at the same time.

The ‘MLB’ further stated that the projects are part of the Mariners ongoing commitment to maintain and improve the T-Mobile Park so that it remains a first-class facility and is among the Top 10 ballparks in MLB in terms of condition and fan amenities, which is expected to cost the Mariners over $100 million during the first decade of the current lease.

The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, US. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League West division. The team joined the American League as an expansion team in 1977 playing their home games in the Kingdome.

The 47,943-capacity T-Mobile Park is a retractable roof stadium in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the home field of Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners and has a seating capacity of 47,929. It is in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood, near the Western terminus of Interstate 90.

Informed Catie Griggs, Seattle Mariners President of Business Operations, “We have spent the last 20-plus years maintaining and upgrading T-Mobile Park so it remains a first-class facility. Over the last few years, we focused on improvements that are accessible for all fans including the T-Mobile ‘Pen, creating the Rooftop Boardwalk, Trident Deck and Kids Corner, and expanding the Left Field Gate to improve access to the ballpark. We are now focusing on overdue improvements to the premium guest experience.”

Added Griggs, “By updating and expanding the Diamond Club and creating the new Press Club, we are responding to our fans’ requests, and we are meeting our lease obligation to ensure our premium offerings keep pace with what is available in the Seattle market and in professional sports in general.”

The budget for these projects is approximately $55 million. The cost is being paid by the Mariners and will not receive any revenues from the King County Lodging Tax.

Said Stacy Graven, Board Chair of the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District, “The PFD Board of Directors couldn’t be happier with this news. The Mariners have done an excellent job of ensuring access and affordability of tickets and concessions. With the renovation of the Diamond Club and creation of the Press Club, they further ensure that the T-Mobile Park remains one of the top-tier ballparks in the nation – further protecting the public’s investment in the facility. This is the vision that both the Mariners and the PFD Board shared when signing the new lease, and we’re heartened that it continues to be the guiding principle for these improvements.”

Press Club

The existing Press box, which is located directly behind home plate below the Dave Niehaus Broadcast Center, will be converted into a premium club with capacity for over 200 guests with interior and exterior seating.

The most distinguishing feature of the club will be its spectacular view of the field, a view that is unparalleled at T-Mobile Park. The club will feature a modern, fresh décor to appeal to fans looking for a unique social experience at the game. Soft seating zones and playful lighting will add texture to the club’s overall character.

Diamond Club expansion

The Diamond Club, T-Mobile Park’s original all-inclusive premium experience, will undergo a major expansion and the first extensive refresh of the interior space since the ballpark opened in 1999. The new footprint will encompass 13,000 square feet, including a new kitchen and restrooms, to more easily accommodate the 400 Diamond Club members who are seated in the first eight rows behind the home plate.

A full service bar will occupy an entire wall, backed by an 11ft-by-20ft LED TV, so large it practically immerses guests in the game on the field. Diamond Club members will have the choice of a variety of premium offerings from Sodexo Live!, including farm-to-table main dishes and sides, made-to-order ice cream sundaes and house-made waffle cones, espresso, specialty desserts and grab-and-go ballpark fare. In addition to the full-service bar and buffet meal service, guests will continue to have access to in-seat service for food and beverages in exterior seats.

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