Jan 24, 2007 4:53 pm US/Eastern
Even More Changes Coming To Fenway Park
BOSTON (CBS4) ―
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A new deck area is being built on the 3rd base side.
CBS4
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A restaurant is being constructed under the center field bleachers.
CBS4
The Red Sox continue to make changes and upgrades to Fenway Park. Several major construction projects are currently underway at the 95-year-old park.
A bleacher bar and grill is being construced in center field where the visitor batting cages once stood. The field will not be visible from this new restaurant which is expected to open later this year.
The 3rd base deck area behind the grandstand seats is being widened and a ladies restroom will be added to the area.
Extensive renovations are being done to 26 private suites on the right and left field sides. Cup holders are also being added to field box seats.
"We are well over $100 million in terms of investments we have made at Fenway Park," team President Larry Lucchino said. "And we're still not finished."
Vending machines that will allow fans to buy public transportation tickets, called "CharlieCards," will also be available inside the ballpark.
Some of the space for the new areas came from moving NESN, the team's television network, to Watertown. But some Red Sox employees will see things improve: Day-of-game staff like ticket-takers and ushers will have a new dressing room to replace the cramped, hidden-away one.
"Our ushers, ticket takers, and security people have long needed an improved dressing area," Lucchino said. "Such back-of-the-house improvements are not visible, but their effect can be. We ask our event personnel to exude a sense of warmth, welcome, and hospitality, and we know they deserve improved surroundings for their experience as well."
The oldest and smallest ballpark in the major leagues, Fenway has been upgraded each offseason since the team was sold to a group led by John Henry in 2002.
The most visible changes have been new seats above the Green Monster, behind home plate and in the right field upper deck.
Opening day at Fenway is April 10 against the Seattle Mariners.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Slideshow: Previous Fenway Changes
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