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For some reason, the Dodgers have been mum until now about the extensive construction work going on at Dodger Stadium this off-season. Today they put out the the rendering above, showing the relative size and position of new video scoreboards and signage, and talked about what's going on. Modern restrooms and wireless connections are among the enhanced features for 2013 — cellphones should finally work reliably. The stadium's sound system is being revamped.
Part of the field-level seats were removed earlier in the off-season to allow construction work under the stands, including a new and expanded home clubhouse for the Dodgers. The back few rows of seats on each level are also being removed to make wider concourses. Team officials said the seating capacity would stay at 56,000, so they are wedging the removed seats back in somewhere.
“Dodger Stadium is a treasured piece of the Los Angeles community and we will respect that heritage while restoring and enhancing the venue for our fans in the 21st century, team president and CEO Stan Kasten said in the Dodgers materials on Tuesday. "When the improvements are completed, the stadium will retain its classic look, but it will have a more comfortable feel."
Here's what the team says is being done this winter:
* New High Definition video boards in left field and right field. Existing message boards, including ribbon boards at the Loge level and outfield wall, will be replaced with the new technology as well. The unique hexagon shape of both scoreboards will be restored.
* A new sound system directed to minimize echoes and sound migration outside the
stadium
* A state-of-the-art Wi-Fi network and cellular antenna system to support cell-phone and internet connectivity from mobile devices
* Wider concourses and additional locations for wheelchair bound fans and their companions on all levels
* Expanded and renovated restrooms with substantially more fixtures
* Food service enhancements to loge, reserve and upper reserve levels including new stands, cooking facilities and menus. (Details will be announced prior to the start of the season.)
* New Field Level entry plazas and bullpen overlooks to create standing room areas with a view of the game.
* A new home team clubhouse, expanded and enhanced training/conditioning areas, and new batting cages for both teams.
Here are some more details provided by the Dodgers:
The ability of fans and media covering games at Dodger Stadium to communicate will improve as a result of the new Wi-Fi and cellular antenna system that is being installed as part of a partnership with Major League Baseball Advanced Media.
The new sound system will provide for a much more enjoyable audio experience for fans as they listen to live and recorded music and announcements before, during and after
games at the stadium. Sound will be directed to each seating section, minimizing echoes and migrating sounds outside the park.The new video screens will be the first 10mm 1080p light emitting diode (LED) displays in MLB. While the new scoreboard structures will be 22% larger, the active viewing area of both video boards will be 66% larger than before, thus providing the capability for a greater amount of video content and statistical information than ever before. Driven by a new high-definition broadcast quality control room, the scoreboards will feature the latest outdoor display technologies which will offer some of the most impressive visuals in all of sports. The original distinctive hexagonal shape which presently only exists in right field will be restored to both boards.
Two to four rows of seats will be removed from the back of the Field, Loge, Reserve and Upper Reserve levels to provide greater walking space on each concourse, as well as more wheelchair locations and “drink rails” for fans who may wish to leave their seats during games and explore the stadium.
Restrooms will be expanded, renovated and ADA compliant on the Loge, Reserve and Upper Reserve levels and in the Pavilions. There will be an average increase in fixtures of 62 per cent for women and 32 per cent for men. Family or Unisex restrooms will be created for each level at the stadium. Restrooms in the outfield will be relocated under the Pavilions which will be more convenient for fans.
The Dodgers will also be going green instituting many measures toward being energy efficient. Included in the plans are new water valves, low flush fixtures, waterless urinals, hand driers to eliminate paper waste, automatic faucets to control water flow and new power and lighting energy efficient systems.
The Dodgers also will increase the number of positions for wheelchair patrons. Each position will have a companion seat and will also be positioned so these patrons can see the game, even if someone stands up in front of them.
One of the “most fun things” among the enhancements...is the bullpen overlooks that will enable fans to socialize while watching the game from a location above the bullpens where there will be dramatic field views. Each entrance, including the center-field entrances, is being given careful attention to create better circulation and enhanced concession and retail spaces.
Playground and interactive areas for children also will be created at both the Pavilion and Reserve levels that will include life-size bobbleheads, oversized World Series rings and retired number displays.
The players will appreciate the renovation doubling the size of the footprint of the existing clubhouses, enhance their training room and home batting cage and add a batting cage for visiting teams so they won’t have to share the Dodgers’ batting cage.
The Dodgers will display many of the team’s historical items for the first time. Fans will be able to enjoy Dodger memorabilia and artifacts such as MVP awards, Cy Young awards and Gold Gloves awarded to Dodgers.
A new retail store will be built at the Top of the Park location behind home plate. This will be open daily on a regular basis along with the Top of the Park ticket office. Tours of Dodger Stadium will be conducted daily from this location.
