CLEVELAND -- The Indians are transforming their home turf.
Progressive Field will undergo a major renovation project starting in the offseason that will change the way fans experience the ballpark.
Currently, Progressive Field is a 43,000-seat stadium. The planned alterations coming to the park will knock seating down to levels between 37,000-38,000.
The enhancements at Progressive Field include:
Social gathering space
- A climate-controlled, two-story bar in right field with views unmatched in Cleveland.
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Expanded Kids Clubhouse
- First introduced in 2012, the Kids Clubhouse will grow to two levels. The Mezzanine concourse area also will be renovated, with new, improved attractions for families.
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New Gate C
- The new Gate C area will be a dramatic entrance with visual connection to the field from the exterior and dramatic views of the Cleveland skyline from inside the ballpark. This will be enabled by removing The Market Pavilion and Batter's Eye Bar and reorienting the fan entrance, allowing for a better connection with a revitalized part of the city and allowing residents and downtown workers better views of the field.
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Connection to players
- Redesigned bullpens in center field provide unique interaction with players and a new exclusive seating area.
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Connection to Cleveland
- Popular city neighborhoods like Ohio City and Tremont will be incorporated into the new Gate C concourse space.
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Historical connection
- More of the franchise's storied history will be incorporated throughout the ballpark, especially at the new Gate C; the Bob Feller and Jim Thome statues will be consolidated there, and will be joined there by future statues – including in 2015 by a Larry Doby statue.
RELATED STORY: Larry Doby statue coming to Progressive Field
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New Group seating area
- The Upper Reserved area in right field will feature terraced decks for group outings with sweeping views of the playing field, which previously were limited to the Carnegie Tent area on the ballpark's exterior.
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Officials say the majority of the work will be complete by Opening Day 2015 with everything wrapped by early next season.
The project, with support from our partner Delaware North Companies, is completely privately funded.
"Fans have changed the way they interact with baseball and other forms of entertainment," says Indians President Mark Shapiro. "As a result, we have to adapt by creating new, compelling experiences to evolve our ballpark to align with fans' interests. We're proud to provide targeted, new experiences that enhance the connection between Progressive Field and revitalizing city around us."
